Basseterre, St Kitts and Nevis: Terrance Drew, Prime Minister of St Kitts and Nevis, informed through his social media account that he had established a National security task force to address crime and violence as a public health issue.
He stated that the government of Saint Kitts and Nevis is committed to maintaining law and order and ensuring the safety and security of its people.
PM Terrance Drew, who is also the Minister of National Security of St Kitts and Nevis, has established a National security task force to launch a new initiative that approaches crime and violence from a public health perspective to ensure people’s safety and security and prioritise national development.
This task force is made up of senior management representatives from departments across the government, including Ministry of Education, Ministry of National Security, Ministry of social development and Prime Minister’s office, as well as Prime Minister, Minister of National Security and Chairperson Terrance Drew.
He is a renowned Consultant Psychiatrist, founder and president of Ripple Institute SKN, professor and the head of the Department of Behavioural Sciences & Medical Ethics at Windsor University School of Medicine.
During the regional symposium to reduce Crime and violence as a public health issue, the Crime Challenge took place at the port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago, in April 2023. During the event, Dr Williams served as the main speaker.
At regional symposium, Dr Williams remarked, “Violence can be avoided, as now we are equipped with knowledge and equipment to fight
and change its course; we need to summon the confidence to do so.
He added, “Despite the fact that the words violence and health were hardly ever used together just 40 years ago, violence is now widely acknowledged as a public health issue. There has been a growing awareness that violence can and should be addressed from a public health perspective due to several coincidental events and observable trends”.
Minister Drew expressed that his appointed team is currently developing a thorough and empirically supported action plan to establish and maintain nonviolence throughout the country.
Minister Drew wrote on his official Facebook account, “Social peace and stability are important for the social and economic development of our progressive Sustainable Island State Agenda. The programme will adopt a comprehensive strategy that includes social development, education, health, and national security”.
The programme will adopt a comprehensive strategy that includes social development, education, health, and national security.
Minister Drew also highlighted that several programmes will be made to develop and remodel their thinking and behaviour by enhancing their analytical, critical, and conflict-resolution skills and their self-esteem.