WHOLE OF SOCIETY APPROACH IS THE RIGHT STRATEGY TO ADDRESS VIOLENCE IN THE FEDERATION FROM A PUBLIC HEALTH PERSPECTIVE

BASSETERRE, St. Kitts, August 28, 2024 (SKNIS) – Prime Minister, Honourable Dr. Terrance Drew, in his capacity as Minister of National Security, led an engagement with key community stakeholders on citizen security on August 23, 2024, reinforcing the government’s whole of society approach as part of its comprehensive response to the crime problem from a public health perspective.

Prime Minister Dr. Drew said preliminary results of a study sanctioned in 2022 to evaluate and assess crime and gang dynamics in St. Kitts and Nevis point to a pervasive issue in the Federation. The study was carried out by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID).

But the government remains optimistic, as Prime Minister Drew noted that the data also shows that this issue can be addressed through an inclusive, all-of-society approach, which his government has adopted.

“When I talk about dealing with crime from a public health perspective, I am talking about a comprehensive, scientific approach which involves the whole of society to deal with the matter. This is really the answer, a whole of society approach,” Dr. Drew said.

The honourable prime minister emphasised that this must be more than just words spoken when an incident occurs, rather it must be a broad-based, consistent response driven by scientific data.

To help accomplish this, a new Department of Citizen Security is being established that will lead the government’s response to addressing the root causes of crime, through a coordinated effort.

“This has the great potential to work. So why am I doing a department [of Citizen Security] or if needs be, a ministry? the prime minister asked. It is because citizen security should always be part of the government’s activity. We must always have all hands on deck for the preservation of peace, tranquillity and harmony in our federation” 

An in-depth analysis of the USAID-led study will be presented at the upcoming National Consultation on Citizen Security, which forms part of the 90-Day Campaign.

The 90-day campaign will focus on immediate and short-term actions to combat violent crime, particularly gun-related crime. According to the prime minister, the campaign will also include medium and long-term strategies to ensure that the gains made in the coming months are sustained for years to come.

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