The National Council on Drug Abuse (NCDA) is advocating for State resources to be channelled into interventions that discourage the use of cannabis (ganja), particularly by the society’s youth. This, according to Executive Director, Michael Tucker, is imperative against the background of what he describes as an emerging worrying development, consequent on decriminalisation of possession of two ounces of the...

The Jamaica Customs Agency (JCA) has assured importers and exporters in St. James that the modernised Customs Bill slated to be tabled in Parliament next year, will allow stakeholders to conduct business in a more efficient environment. Senior Legal Officer at the agency, Krystal Corbett, said the legislative reform has become necessary, as aspects of the existing Act do not...

Prime Minister, the Most Hon. Andrew Holness, says he will formally launch a commission to study violence in Jamaica early next year. He said the commission will be mandated to make recommendations to the Government as to what can be done to ensure that Jamaica is a more caring and loving society. He was speaking at a town hall meeting...

Twenty-five employees from 14 resort properties in Treasure Beach, St. Elizabeth, have been certified by the Private Security Regulation Authority (PSRA) as part of steps to facilitate Jamaica Tourist Board (JTB) compliance and certification. Participants in the PSRA Security Training Programme, which was conducted in collaboration with the Tourism Product Development Company (TPDCo), were presented with their certificates during a...

Prime Minister, the Most Hon. Andrew Holness, has signed a US$285-million contingency credit facility with the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) that will provide the country with immediate financing during the emergency recovery phase after a sudden event. The agreement was signed on Monday (November 26), during a brief meeting with IDB officials in Washington DC, where the Prime Minister is...

Her Excellency, the Most Hon. Lady Allen, has called on the nation’s youth to adopt the attitude of care and love that is hinged on the principle of being “our brother’s keeper”. “No longer do we seem to care about the welfare of our fellow citizens. I refuse to believe that we all have become cold and uncaring. It is...

More than 7,000 residents of several communities in South St. James now have access to an improved water supply, following the Rural Water Supply Limited’s (RWSL) completion of four major projects in that region at a cost of approximately $54 million. The projects include rehabilitation of the Spring Gardens water supply system; upgrading of the Montpelier water supply system; and...