Naparima Boys' College in San Fernando emerged victorious against Holy Faith Convent, Penal, in the Secondary Schools' Debate competition last Friday. Joash Higgins and Aaron Dass placed first with 197 points, followed by Nicole Daharu and Lorraine Leotaud of Holy Faith Convent, Penal, with 185 points. The event, which was held at the San Fernando school, was based on the recent passing of the Breathalyser Bill in Parliament. Huggins stated during his contribution, "A devastating blow has been dealt to these public offenders who would now think twice before illegally multitasking by drinking and driving.
"The fact that drunk drivers would now be caught for their dastardly deeds would allow many citizens to sleep better at night. No longer would they live in fear of their children or themselves being 'taken out' by an inconsiderate, intoxicated driver." Huggins' team member Aaron Dass also voiced his support of the breathalyser when he said, "The breathalyser shall save us from the blithering and incompetent faction of T&T that chooses to indulge in the most foolish behaviour of driving while intoxicated." Dharu, of Holy Faith Convent, gave voice to her doubts that the breathalyser law would be a deterrent to drunk driving and significantly reduce road carnage.
She said, "Trinidadians have always enjoyed a certain 'freedom' when it comes to alcohol consumption in this country; no-one checks your ID to see if you are of legal age when you go to a bar or club; you can walk into any public space with opened alcohol in your possession and many motorists have been seen casually with one hand on the steering wheel and a beer in the other, says a journalist for the Express Newspaper." Dharu went on to quote Trinidad Guardian journalist JH Charles when she said, "The Government can use its majority in Parliament to pass whatever law it wishes. But the laws have to be enforced by the law enforcement officers." She drew reference to the seatbelt law and asked how many people still decline to wear the seatbelt while driving today.
She also stated that it is the non-enforcement of laws that further contributes to the levels of lawlessness of the society at large. Chief Judge Carolyn Seepersad Bachan stated, "I wish to express deep, heartfelt thanks to the Rotary club for carrying out this exercise every year. "Both teams had well researched topics but you did not engage the audience; you kept looking at your text. I also heard very little rebuttal between the two teams. "That said, I would like to congratulate the leaders of the Naparima Boys College and Holy Faith Convent; both teams were excellent." Other members of the judging panel included noted historian and journalist Loius Homer and Vicki Boodram. On the lighter side of the event, Naparima students Roneil Mahabir, Navid Babawah and Andrew Mahabir sang, played the steelpan and gave a brief oration.