Help has arrived for Deported migrants sent back to Jamaica through the National Council on Drug Abuse (NCDA), which seeks to assist in reintegration and helping them become productive members of the society.
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“It is very difficult for these persons who are deported and are also Drug abusers who have lived in a First World country for the greater portion of their lives to adjust to our lifestyle in Jamaica, they need to be re-socialized”, Sislyn Malcolm, national director of field services at NCDA revealed.
In a bid to rescue them from the grip of feeling lost and marginalize, she revealed that the NCDA initiated the Jamaica Reducing Re-offending Programme (JRRAP) in collaboration with the Ministry of National Security. The goal of this intervention Malcolm explained, “is not only to help Deported Migrants with a history of drug abuse but also ordinary deported individuals who do not have any relative or are not able to make contact with relatives.”
“We also assist in the reintegration and rehabilitation of substance abusers within this population, provide life coping skills to those who are deemed to be habitual drug users and abusers” she further added. “It is hoped that this initiative will enable these individuals to successfully reintegrate into society and become responsible citizens”.
The programme is funded by UK-government and will come to an end in March 2011 after nine months since it was implemented. However, the national director of field services at NCDA is deeply concerned about the short run of this programme and hopes other countries will set in and play a role.
“While most of our deportees come from the UK, they also come from Canada and the US and if we are able to receive some assistance from these countries with regards to this programme we would be grateful,” Malcolm appealed.
Persons who wish to contact the National Council on Drug Abuse they can call a toll free number 1-888-991-4244 or text the word HELP to 564-3784.
