More Positive Influences Needed for Youth – Montague

National Security Minister, Hon. Robert Montague, says the country’s young people need more positive influences, such as those offered through the Jamaica Combined Cadet Force’s (JCCF) programmes, to steer them away from illicit activities.

Mr. Montague noted that the JCCF, which is celebrating 74 years of service to Jamaica this year, offers high-school students an avenue for discipline, leadership, commitment and patriotism.

“We need the positive impact of the cadet force so that our youngsters do not see lotto scammers as their role models… but are able to dig deep within themselves and find true grit and character,” he pointed out.

“Let us encourage more of our youths to get involved in the cadet force so that more positive seeds can be planted in their minds that will produce better citizens, more disciplined persons and a more united Jamaica,” he noted further.

The Minister was speaking at the commissioning of a Cessna aircraft, donated to the JCCF by the British government, for use in its training programmes.

The function was held at the Caribbean Aviation Training Centre at the Tinson Pen Aerodrome in Kingston on Friday (September 23).

Mr. Montague, in the meantime, challenged civil society to get involved in the fight against crime by helping the authorities to resolve conflicts.

Noting that 37 per cent of the country’s murders were domestically related, he said citizens can take action by, among other things, engaging in community activities, particularly those targeting young people.