Research Analyst at the National Council on Drug Abuse (NCDA), Uki Atkinson, says the May 2022 Rapid Situation Assessment on Substance Use and Urgent Issues in Secondary Schools, revealed that there has been a shift in the consumption habits of teen users-to include substances usually associated with other countries.
Atkinson disclosed that Jamaica did not have a pill-popping culture however the exposure to drugs like methylenedioxy-methamphetamine (MDMA) also known as “molly” has changed their behaviour. While not necessarily making a connection between elevated levels of experimentation with substances, the report also highlighted notable psycho-social changes among the students.
The study was conducted across thirteen (130 parishes and involved one hundred and sixty (160) secondary school students from grades 8 -10. More details here:
Reporter: Nicola Brown
