There has been an increase in substance use, particularly alcohol and tobacco, among Jamaica’s population over the past 7 years. 

This was revealed in the 2023 National Drug Prevalence survey, the findings of which were released today. 

Health and Wellness Minister Dr. Christopher Tufton says the increase was seen across all measures;  lifetime, past year and current use.

Meantime, Trelawny, St. Ann, Kingston, St. Andrew and Clarendon were the parishes recording the highest use of alcohol, ganja and cigarettes.  

Trelawny was named in relation to all three substances.

Use of those substances in the named parishes was higher than the national average.

Dr. Tufton says the data will help to determine the interventions for the various areas.

The National Council on Drug Abuse, partnered with the UWI Mona’s Centre for Leadership and Governance and the Inter-American Drug Abuse Control Commission of the Organization of American States, with support from the National Health Fund to conduct the National Household Survey.