NCDA To Function As Dept. Of Health Ministry

Cabinet has given approval for the integration of the National Council on Drug Abuse (NCDA) to function as a Department of the Ministry of Health and Wellness.

This was noted by Minister of Education, Youth and Information, Hon. Fayval Williams, during a virtual post-Cabinet press briefing on Wednesday (May 19).

Mrs. Williams said Cabinet also approved the repeal of the National Council on Drug Abuse Act 1991 to facilitate the integration.

She said amendments will also be made to the Dangerous Drugs (Amendment) Act, which contains references to the NCDA.

Mrs. Williams noted, too, that Cabinet also approved the issuance of drafting instructions to the Chief Parliamentary Counsel to facilitate the process.

She said the actions will mean that the NCDA will no longer maintain its independent status and all the administrative functions will be transferred to the Ministry of Health and Wellness, with its role and functions preserved.

“The merger of the NCDA into the Health Ministry will result in higher levels of operation. Given the challenges with space where departments and agencies of the ministry were based at various locations, the NCDA will remain at its current location on Molynes Road in Kingston,” she said.