Education, Youth Affairs and Sports Minister Sharie de Castro and her team met with the National Security Council last week to explain what they learned about tackling youth crime and violence during a recent trip to the United Kingdom.
During the Feb. 5 meeting, Ms. de Castro recounted her discussions with authorities at the London Violence Reduction Unit and the UK’s Department for Education, according to a Tuesday statement from the NSC.
The council also heard a presentation from Chief Education Officer Orlandette Crabbe on security strategies, including school-based interventions, and collaboration with law enforcement and the community.
Additionally, attendees discussed different ways for the council to partner with the ministry and other agencies to help reduce the risk of young people committing crimes, the NSC stated.
Working group
To further that goal, the council committed to establishing a joint working group with representatives from key agencies to advance related initiatives ahead of the minister’s upcoming visit to the UK in May 2025, according to the council.
The minister welcomed the move, the NSC stated.
Also accompanying Ms. de Castro were ministry Permanent Secretary Marcia Potter and Deputy Secretary Claude Kettle.
The NSC, a constitutionally established body responsible for internal security, is made up of the governor as chairman, the premier, the communications and works minister, the attorney general, and the police commissioner.
Drug use
The meeting came less than a week after the ministry warned about recent reports of illegal substances in high schools, including alcohol, marijuana-infused foods, and sexual-enhancement drugs.
“We take this matter seriously and are working closely with law enforcement and other relevant agencies to safeguard our students,” the ministry stated on Jan. 30. “Reports confirm that these substances are being brought onto school campuses by students, some of whom are distributing or selling them to their peers.”
The drugs, the ministry stated, pose a “significant risk” to students’ health and behaviour.
“In the past 48 hours, multiple students have been suspended after being caught in possession of these substances,” the Jan. 30 statement noted.
It added that schools have a “zero tolerance policy” for illegal drugs.
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