Jamaica confronts shifting drug trends ahead of international awareness day

Jamaica is turning its attention to how drug and substance use is changing across the island as the country prepares to observe International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking on Friday. Paulette Spencer Smith, executive director of the National Council on Drug Abuse, said many longstanding challenges remain in place, but fresh threats have moved closer to the surface.

This year's theme centres on persistent problems, emerging risks and the responses Jamaica has developed. Alcohol, ganja and tobacco continue to rank among the most widely used and widely understood substances locally, though patterns are shifting. Edible cannabis products are becoming more common, officials are monitoring drug-impaired and drunk driving, and the practice of mixing alcohol with energy drinks is also on the rise.

The international observance also underscores the link between demand-side prevention and supply-side enforcement. On the demand side, that means education and reduction efforts; on the supply side, it means monitoring trafficking. Law-enforcement partners, including the Jamaica Constabulary Force and customs officials, have reported growing encounters with new psychoactive substances in Jamaica. Among them are MDMA, also known as Molly or ecstasy—pill-form drugs that are gaining traction in party and nightlife settings.

Smith said the youth demographic aged 16 to 18 appears most affected. She warned that young people may not always know what they are taking, and that such substances are often obtained through social media and mobile devices. She called for greater awareness among parents, communities and the police, urging all sectors to work together and remain vigilant.

She also drew a distinction between the narrow idea of illegal drugs and the broader category of substance abuse, which includes legal products that can still cause harm. Cigarette packs carry health warnings, she noted, while rum bottles do not—a gap that may shape how young people perceive risk. Vaping, though not outlawed, is also considered harmful.

Parents were advised to watch for changes in behaviour, stay informed about school life and friendships, and build trusting relationships so children feel comfortable speaking openly without facing harsh judgment. Communities were also asked to pay attention to activity near schools. The council is encouraging Jamaicans to take part in Friday's observance and keep a close watch on what is happening in their neighbourhoods.