Minister of National Security, Prime Minister Dr. Terrance Drew, has expressed his strong belief in the potential of the Elevate Programme to address crime and violence in St. Kitts and Nevis.
Speaking on the media programme The Edge this week, PM Drew highlighted the importance of a sustainable, scientifically driven programme, free of corruption, to replace the former Alternative Lifestyle Pathway Programme, widely known as the Peace Programme.
ELEVATE is designed to create long-term, sustainable solutions for youth and adults who are either involved in, or at risk of entering, conflict with the law. Dr. Drew criticised the Peace Programme, whose operation he likened to a “Don system”. In the world of organised crime, a “don” typically a powerful underworld leader.
“We cannot set up a Don System like what was being implemented here. It does not work like that. As a matter of fact, it makes the situation worse. It can result in short-term damming, but studies have shown that it causes the gang culture to deepen,” Prime Minister Drew stated.
The Prime Minister also linked the failures of the Peace Programme to the financial struggles of the St. Kitts and Nevis Development Bank, which he said is burdened with hundreds of millions of dollars in debt. He further revealed that an upcoming court case will address allegations of embezzlement tied to the previous programme following a government audit that uncovered widespread financial misconduct.
“What used to happen is they sent to the St. Kitts Nevis Anguilla National Bank for cash in the amount of over EC$600,000.00 per week, brought it back to the Development Bank, to split up informally. People remembered when the Development Bank used to be opened on a Sunday and Saturday nights and money, to the tune of millions of dollars, used to go out in plastic bags,” the prime minister detailed.
As a solution, Dr. Drew reiterated the need for rehabilitation programmes like ELEVATE, which will foster unity among stakeholders via policies geared at addressing crime and violence in a systematic way.
He referenced a USAID study that occured between 2022-2023 which identified a troubling rise in gang activity in the Federation. The final report suggested that about 15 gangs, with members totalling over 300 people, are now operating in the country.
PM Drew emphasised that tackling this issue requires a collective effort and a focus on rehabilitation, in contrast to the flawed approaches of the past.
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