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By Kevon Browne
St. Kitts and Nevis (WINN): Prime Minister Dr. Terrence Drew is committed to treating crime and violence in St. Kitts and Nevis as a public health crisis.
During the Aug. 27 episode of Roundtable, Dr. Drew outlined new policies to address the root causes of criminal behavior, emphasizing early intervention for children.
A central component of the strategy is the newly approved National Drug Policy, which aims to reduce the demand for drugs.
“As long as there’s a demand for drugs, there will be drugs. Someone will find a way to get them. And with drugs comes guns and so on.”
The policy aims to address drug use among vulnerable groups, such as children, in order to reduce drug trafficking and related violence.
The government also plans to set up an agency focused on drug prevention and mental health services. In addition, more than 20 new family counselors have been trained, the most in the country’s history, to help stressed families and prevent problems that could lead to criminal behavior.
“We want them all over the country so we can capture the problem.”
Mental health services have been expanded by hiring additional professionals, including psychiatrists, doctoral-level psychologists, and more school counselors. Dr. Drew stressed the importance of early intervention for family dynamics and trauma resolution.
The number of structured programmes such as Scouts and Cadets in schools has increased and plans are underway to make participation in these programmes compulsory.
“We’ve expanded the C-cadets, the Infantry Cadets and the Boy Scouts. You’ll see them participating in these activities during our independence so that all the kids can participate in these (types of) structured programs,” Dr. Drew said.
The government launched the Children’s Health Services Program to address poverty and provide health services to children from low-income families. The program aims to reduce stress on families and prevent situations that may lead to criminal behavior.
Family counselors also provide support to victims of violent crime and their families.
Dr. Drew highlighted the Elevate Program, which includes counseling, training and rehabilitation to help individuals reintegrate into society. The program has been expanded to include both male and female prisoners and focuses on mothers’ reintegration into society after incarceration.
Dr Drew revealed plans to set up a dedicated unit within government to manage these initiatives.
“It has to be a fundamental part of our governance structure. That’s why we want to have this department. If someone wants to change it in the future, that’s their business. But hopefully they can keep the essence of the program. But we are making sure there is a department in government that deals with this. At the moment, we have a task force, it will become a secretariat, it will become a department, it can become a ministry if need be.”
This comprehensive approach addresses crime and violence through a variety of strategies, with a focus on supporting and protecting the next generation.
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