The Government intends to implement face-to-face interactions with students in the schools to educate them about the pitfalls and the ultimate consequences of participating in gang culture, gun crimes, and other illegal activities.
Jamaica’s Prime Minister, the Most Hon. Andrew Holness announced the initiative while addressing the ‘Heal the Family, Heal the Nation’ conference at the National Arena in Kingston on Wednesday (January 4, 2023). The meeting coincided with the third annual National Day of Prayer.
Mr. Holness revealed that since the passage of the new Firearms (Prohibition, Restriction, and Regulation) Act 2022 last November, 80 persons got arrested for illegal gun possession.
He said among them is a 15-year-old boy who, if convicted, could face minimum imprisonment of 15 years.
“We have many cases with 15 and 14-year-olds who have killed and are not only charged with possession, but murder,” the Prime Minister pointed out.
The PM emphasized, “While society has to draw the line and send a strong signal, the Government also must ensure that [youth] are properly informed.”
“So, it is the intention of the Government to launch [out], starting within our schools, because that is where we can get them [students] all congregated [and] get to every classroom in Jamaica,” the Prime Minister declared.