Substance abuse can affect the development of a young person’s brain, which in turn, lessens

their ability to resolve conflicts. This is according to the National Council on Drug Abuse
(NCDA).

As reported by the NCDA, alcohol, marijuana, and tobacco are reported to be the most abused
drugs by young people in Jamaica. In fact, alcohol tops the list with 45% of youngsters,
especially boys, misusing it. Over 80% of adolescents who use alcohol, report that they started
before age 14. Recognising this need for intervention and prevention, the Government of
Jamaica (GOJ) has developed several initiatives to offer support.

Child Diversion Programme

Led by the Ministry of Justice, this programme seeks to steer young people away from
delinquent behaviour by providing positive alternatives. These include mentorship, vocational
training or admission into an academic institution, counselling and behavioural therapy.
Admission is normally granted through a recommendation from law enforcement or
caseworkers. However, if any member of the public is aware of a young person who needs
guidance, they can contact the NCDA for help.

Operation Lighthouse

This initiative offers a holistic approach to substance abuse prevention by supporting families of
at-risk youth. The NCDA deploys trained youth facilitators into communities to select families
where guidance on parenting, goal setting, stress management and proper communication is
offered.

‘Talk di Truth’ – Mentorship Programme

This programme is geared towards marijuana use and awareness and was an offshoot of the
amendments to the 2015 Dangerous Drugs Act. With the highest rate of substance abuse being
reported among 10th graders, the programme, administered by the NCDA, trains high school
students to become peer educators where they are tasked with observing specific issues in their
school and recommending programmes that could help.

READ Workshops

The Resistance Education Against Drugs (READ) programme provides participants with the
ability to recognise negative behaviour linked to drug abuse to reduce the likelihood of misuse.
The NCDA offers this programme upon periodic visits to schools. READ programmes are
offered at three levels:
 ● READ Junior – ages 5 to 7
● READ in the Middle (Rory’s World) – ages 8 to 11
● READ Plus – ages 12 to 17

Public Education Campaigns

These campaigns inform members of society on drug abuse trends, their impact and how to get
help. Presentations are led by the NCDA with the support of churches, libraries, businesses,
schools, among others. They often happen on annually recognised days for substance abuse such
as Love Not Drugs Day (February 14), World No Tobacco Day (May 31), International Day
Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking (June 26) and Drug Awareness Month (November).

Recognition Awards

In January 2020, 77 young people of the 171 who participated in counselling sessions,
successfully recovered from substance abuse, and were publicly recognised. Those who recover
are honoured by the GOJ through partnership with the Citizen Security and Justice Programme
(CSJP) III and the NCDA.

For additional information, contact:Substance abuse can affect the development of a young
person’s brain, which in turn, lessens their ability to resolve conflicts. This is according to the
National Council on Drug Abuse (NCDA).

As reported by the NCDA, alcohol, marijuana, and tobacco are reported to be the most abused
drugs by young people in Jamaica. In fact, alcohol tops the list with 45% of youngsters,
especially boys, misusing it. Over 80% of adolescents who use alcohol, report that they started
before age 14. Recognising this need for intervention and prevention, the Government of
Jamaica (GOJ) has developed several initiatives to offer support.

Child Diversion Programme

These campaigns inform members of society on drug abuse trends, their impact and how to get
help. Presentations are led by the NCDA with the support of churches, libraries, businesses,
schools, among others. They often happen on annually recognised days for substance abuse such
as Love Not Drugs Day (February 14), World No Tobacco Day (May 31), International Day
Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking (June 26) and Drug Awareness Month (November).
Recognition Awards

In January 2020, 77 young people of the 171 who participated in counselling sessions,
successfully recovered from substance abuse, and were publicly recognised. Those who recover
are honoured by the GOJ through partnership with the Citizen Security and Justice Programme
(CSJP) III and the NCDA.

For additional information, contact:

National Council on Drug Abuse

13 Molynes Road

Kingston 10

Telephone: 876-926-9002-4 /1-888-991-4244

Email: ncda@cwjamaica.com

Website: http://ncda.org.jm/

Ministry of Justice (MOJ)

61 Constant Spring Road

Kingston 10

Telephone: 876-906-4923-31

Toll Free: 1-888-4-justice (587-8423)

E-mail: customer.service@moj.gov.jm

Website: https://moj.gov.jm/

Child Diversion Officers:

https://moj.gov.jm/content/child-diversion-officers-contact-information