The Desnoes and Geddes (D&G) Foundation has joined forces with the Ministry of Education & Youth and Rise Life Management Services in a concerted effort to combat the pervasive issue of underage drinking.

A two-day workshop, marking a significant milestone in the ‘Pon Anodda Level’ Responsible Drinking initiative, was organised for scores of guidance counsellors from various schools across the island.

At the gathering over 150 guidance counsellors from across Jamaica, the interactive seminars provided a platform for the exploration of two critical themes ‘Underage Gambling Prevention’ and ‘The Challenges of Underage Drinking’. Held at the Spanish Town Road Brewery, the sessions featured expert insights, open discussions, and valuable resources designed to equip guidance counsellors with the tools they need to prevent underage drinking effectively.

Dianne Ashton-Smith, director of the D&G Foundation, in her address, said: “Today’s training session focuses on addressing a critical issue in our society: underage drinking. As guidance counsellors, you play a pivotal role in shaping the lives of young people and providing them with the necessary support and guidance.”

“We believe that by equipping you with the knowledge and tools to combat underage drinking, we can work together to create a safer and healthier future for our youth. We are thrilled to be part of this amazing partnership, and we must commend our long-time partners from Rise Life Management Services who have greatly assisted us.”

This collaborative effort between the D&G Foundation and Rise Life Management Services extends far beyond this workshop. Throughout the year, they have collectively educated over 240 young individuals in St Elizabeth, St Thomas, Westmoreland, St James, and Kingston. These initiatives underline the D&G Foundation’s unwavering commitment to fostering a healthier and more responsible society.

The engaging sessions featured discussions and presentations by Richard Henry, a facilitator at Rise Life Management, followed by a comprehensive discourse with counselling psychologist Howard Gough. Gough delved into the topic of responsible consumption, placing particular emphasis on the challenges of underage drinking.

One of the participants, Jennifer McKay-Kenlock, guidance counsellor at Old Harbour Bay Primary School, shared her insights on the workshop. “The session on underage drinking exposed me to a lot of factors that I was not aware of, especially from a psychological perspective. Underage drinking and gambling are prevalent among our students. With the information and resources, we have been provided within the workshop, I can better understand our youths and better guide them,” she said.

Even schools not currently grappling with these issues found the session to be highly impactful. Claudette Silvera Mighty, guidance counsellor at Guy’s Hill Primary School, explained its proactive approach to dealing with the issue. “The workshop was beneficial to me because, truthfully, I learnt a lot about the minds of our children. While it is not an issue now, the plan is to prevent it as much as possible. On Parents’ Day, we will host a workshop so they too can better guide their children at home while we assist at school.”