Caribbean News

JAMAICA: CSJP partners with NCDA to improve drug treatment access

Published

6 years ago

November 14, 2017

#Jamaica, November 14, 2017 – Kingston – The partnership between the Citizen Security and Justice Programme (CSJP) III and the National Council on Drug Abuse (NCDA), through the Specialised Substance Misuse Treatment Programme, has served to improve drug treatment access for vulnerable youth. Through the collaboration, youngsters in communities targeted by the CSJP III are recommended to the NCDA for treatment if they have been flagged for substance misuse during assessment.

Substance Abuse Officer, NCDA, Kingston, Denise Chin, says a key strength of the programme is its ability to reach persons who would not otherwise access treatment.

“It offers a very structured way for participants to receive help and access to treatment facilities and options that they wouldn’t otherwise reach out for… so this is a good access to primary care,” she notes.

Ms. Chin, who was addressing a recent JIS ‘Think Tank’, said the benefits of the programme extend even to family members, contributing to family and community cohesiveness and leading to others following the example of the participants in seeking treatment.

“Most times in assessment when asked why they use drugs, such as marijuana, youngsters would say it feels good. So there is a trend of a lack of coping skills. In the programme, there are clear skills that you have to be taught to cope with stress and to be considered functional,” she explained.

These include anger management, conflict resolution, stress management and refusal skills, which contribute to better stress management to effectively handle the workplace and make good life choices.

“The process of reintegrating and re-socialising them into society is a stepping stone for them, as they are motivated by the possibility of getting a negative drug test,” Ms. Chin said.

Substance Abuse Officer at the NCDA, Suzanne Brown, said clients are put through a screening and assessment process upon entering the programme, adding that most clients are usually at a pre-contemplation stage, where they see nothing wrong with their drug misuse behaviour.

“That would mean that to pull them from that stage to now starting to contemplate change, we would now go into more drug education sessions, doing functional analysis, the internal and external triggers, understanding the behaviour itself – when it is done, how and with whom – and look at the short-term personal benefits versus the long-term consequences of continued drug use for them,” she added.

“We look at their happiness scale in terms of the different aspects of their lives – their home and school – and how they are functioning overall,” Ms. Brown said.

She said that in treatment planning, the programme examines the client’s support system, such as their family, followed by exploring strategies with the client to manage environmental, social and emotional triggers. Group sessions would also include life-skill-building presentations and workshops. More than 150 individuals were referred to the NCDA for treatment following risk assessments.

The NCDA conducted 541 individual sessions and 80 group sessions over a 12-month period starting July 2016. Additional workshops were done in communities and schools to sensitise children and students about marijuana use and to train community volunteers to identify persons in need of treatment. Sixty-one per cent of the participants were compliant with the sessions and 10.1 per cent tested negative after completion of the treatment programme.

Ms. Brown explained that even though some of the clients may not be negative at the end of the programme, they would have made significant progress.

“What you will find is that a lot of the times, some are chain-smokers, and throughout the programme, you will notice significant reduction in usage,” she said.

“Persons probably started with back-to-back smoking, and as the session progressed… you will notice that while they have not totally stopped using, they have been able to reduce the number of (marijuana cigarettes) per day,” she added.

Ms. Chin, meanwhile, is hopeful that the collaboration with the CSJP III will continue, as it has been effective in impacting the lives of youth.

“It’s an ongoing partnership and another way for persons in the community to access our services, so we see that as a benefit. Some persons might not have seen that they have a problem or would be too timid or afraid to get help. So, it is good that the CSJP streamlines these persons who really need it,” she said.

The Specialised Substance Misuse Treatment Programme was formed out of a realisation that drug use, particularly abuse of marijuana, has prevented a number of CSJP recipients from accessing vocational skills training and employment offerings.

Under the Memorandum of Understanding with the NCDA, signed in 2016, persons flagged for drug use through the CSJP’s Community Case Management programme are referred to the NCDA for the treatment course before they transition into the vocational, job-training or job-placement features of the CSJP.

By: Denise Dennis (JIS)

Caribbean News

One Nation TCI Pageant to Launches this Weekend

Published

12 hours ago

April 25, 2024

Shanieka

Dana Malcolm

Staff Writer

“Founded on the principles of Unity, sisterhood and community service,” is how Alicia Swann, One Nation TCI Founder, and President, describes the organization as it gears up for its inaugural showing, to be marked by a pageant and parade of nations, family fun day and cultural show.

When Magnetic Media spoke to Swann she explained the inspiration behind the name.

“The reason why we chose ‘One Nation’ was because we wanted to ensure that all of our beautiful ladies within the Turks and Caicos feel as if they are a part of our society. Speaking with the ladies I’ve gotten the opinion that a lot of them feel as if they are in our country but they don’t actually feel fully a part of it,” she explained. With constants whose heritages span the DR and TCI, TC-Trinidadians and more the contest is showcasing the rich and diverse culture of the country.

At least two contestants flew in from the UK and the US to participate in the pageant and the event is not just an array of pretty girls.

“We’ve taken the aspects of pageantry to another level, the young ladies have a platform based on our pillars of the organization which include education and mental health,” Swann continued “We wanted to ensure that they understand the value and importance of having a role and voice in society.”

The contestants were all allowed to choose an area to speak on and advocate for, and the President told Magnetic Media that so far the young women are taking the challenge seriously. There are 10 contestants overall, five in the ‘Miss’ category and five in the ‘Teen’ category.

The pageant is already receiving regional recognition as the eventual winner has been invited to take part in a regional pageant in St Kitts in August, a feat which Swann says she is extremely proud of.

In addition to that event a cultural showing, family fun day and parade of nations will be held.

“We will be honoring people from across the Turks and Caicos, out of every island, for their lifetime achievement in terms of giving back to their society. The persons being honoured are unsung heroes. They have been active in their communities in various roles and we felt the need to recognize all of them.” Swann explained.

The Founder didn’t share the names of those being honoured, preferring to leave it a surprise but did drop hints about who would be highlighted during the event; a smiling clinic nurse in South Caicos, a Grand Turk Taxi driver committed to the island’s development, a dedicated principal from North Caicos, a shipping pioneer from North Caicos as well and a creative founder from Providenciales.

“Our company is huge on ensuring that the community is involved and a part of doing that is ensuring that persons in the community are honoured,” the president said.

Several sponsors have stepped up to the plate including

No monetary support has come from TCIG but endorsements from both Rachel Taylor, Minister of Education, and Josephine Connolly, Minister of Tourism, have been shared and the girls are currently undergoing intense training with a pageant coach in preparation for their big night.

Swann is hoping that once the community has a chance to see what One Nation TCI is doing they’ll understand the importance of the events,

“We are a diverse culture and society and– we want people to understand the importance of diversity, supporting our young ladies and empowering them so they can see they have a role in the Turks and Caicos– The more we offer our young ladies [the more] we are able to retain that talent. Once they feel empowered the sky’s the limit.”

The Pageant and Crowning will be on the 25 and 26th of April while the parade and family fun day will be held on the 27th.

Caribbean News

Agriculture Ministry Providing Two Water Trucks to Serve St. Elizabeth and St. Catherine

Published

1 day ago

April 25, 2024

Deandrea Hamilton

#Kingston, Jamaica, April 24, 2024 – The Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Mining is to unveil two more water trucks this week, which will be used to service communities in St. Elizabeth and St. Catherine.

Portfolio Minister, Hon. Floyd Green, made the disclosure during Wednesday’s (April 24) post-Cabinet press briefing at Jamaica House.

He also informed that of the $90 million earmarked to support farmers being impacted by the current drought, the Ministry will be providing additional support for storage and drip-irrigation systems.

“So, we have targeted about 600 water tanks and about 400 12-millimetre drip irrigation hoses, and that distribution has already started. Additionally, we have earmarked about $8 million to really help with our livestock farmers,” Mr. Green said.

“We know the difficulty that you’re facing now in this time; [it’s] very hard to get the right nutritional support for your animals. As such, we will be providing some hay, and we will [also] provide some trucking of water to you. Again, our livestock farmers, if you are in need, please contact the Rural Agricultural Development Authority (RADA) and let us see how we can help in these times,” he further stated.

Mr. Green also encouraged farmers to download the RADA App, so that the Agency can “help guide you, not only in relation to what is happening on the rainfall side, but also in relation to your integrated pest management”.

“We do see some increases of certain types of pests during this time, and it’s important that our farmers are paying attention to that. It’s also important that you’re taking drought management seriously [by undertaking] soil mulching, looking at planting drought-tolerant crops, timely harvesting, implementing land husbandry treatments and contour ditches,” he stated.

Contact: Latonya Linton

Release: JIS

Photo Caption: Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Mining, Hon. Floyd Green, speaking during Wednesday’s (April 24) post-Cabinet press briefing at Jamaica House.

Donald De La Haye Photo

Caribbean News

RBC appoints new Head of Caribbean Banking

Published

2 days ago

April 24, 2024

Shanieka

NASSAU, April 21, 2024 – RBC Financial (Caribbean) Limited, (“RBC”) has appointed Chris Duggan, a native of the Cayman Islands, as Senior Vice President and Head of RBC Caribbean Banking, effective April 1, 2024. He succeeds Chris Ronald, who has been leading the bank’s operations in the Caribbean for the last 2.5 years and has recently returned to Canada as Regional President, Atlantic Provinces at RBC.

Duggan, who is based in Nassau, The Bahamas, is taking on responsibilities as Head of RBC Caribbean Banking to carry out the bank’s strategic direction and manage the overall business strategy and vision across the Caribbean region. He has a career spanning more than two decades in the financial industry across both the United States and the Caribbean.

Most recently, he was the Cayman Islands Government Representative to North America, in Washington DC, primarily focussed on financial services. Prior to his tenure for the Cayman Islands Government, he served as a senior executive at DART Family Office and Butterfield Bank.

RBC’s Executive Vice President, Personal Financing Products, Erica Nielsen said “We’re delighted to welcome Chris to RBC. Born and raised in the Caribbean, Chris has a deep understanding of the regional financial landscape and a passion for representing the culture. He is highly driven, outcome focused, and passionate about building trusted relationships with clients, communities, and employees. His appointment demonstrates our continued commitment to the region. I am confident that under Chris’ leadership, Caribbean Banking will continue to grow and serve our clients and communities.”

As an active member of the communities where he lives and works, he has held leadership roles on the boards of numerous charitable organizations over the years. Duggan was awarded the Queen’s Certificate and Badge of Honour in recognition of his outstanding service to the Cayman Islands community during the COVID-19 Pandemic.