Page 46 - Violence and Mental Health

THE NATIONAL COUNCIL ON DRUG ABUSE (NCDA)

The National Council on Drug Abuse (NCDA) is a statutory body that was established
over 30 years ago to coordinate the national response to drug abuse. According to

the NCDA, its mandate is to provide quality and reliable information to policy makers,
international partners and the general public regarding substance use and abuse in

Jamaica. Additionally, the agency monitors the nature and extent of substance use
among the population and leads the development of evidence based prevention and

treatment initiatives that assist in addressing the problems associated with this social
issue. With knowledge of the Agency’s vital responsibilities, an MOU was established

between the CSJP and the NCDA and referrals were made. The main target group for this
treatment intervention were CSJP participants who were assessed as using and abusing

substances, and were in need of counselling , having acknowledged their need for help.
The participants were from the 50 vulnerable communities served by CSJP.

DESCRIPTION OF THE BENEFICIARIES

The services of the CSJP span 50 communities, in eight parishes. These parishes are divided
into three regions: they are Kingston and St. Andrew (KMA Region) with 23 communities;

the Central Region with 13 communities from four parishes (St. Catherine, Clarendon, St.
Ann and St. Mary); and the Western Region comprising St. James and Westmoreland with

14 communities. A total of 168 clients were seen from the three regions for the period April
to November 2019. The Central region saw the highest number of clients at 83 in total,

while the Western region had 58 clients and KMA, 27. The participants ranged from age
14 to 39, were risk assessed for violence by CSJP Case Managers as described above,

turning out scores within the medium to high ranges. Re-assessment was planned at nine
months for adults and six months for adolescents. Figure 1 shows the age range of clients

by region.

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