Safety in St. Kitts and Nevis has seen a marked transformation since the Drew administration introduced a public health approach to citizen security in August 2024. The approach, which addresses root causes of violence rather than relying solely on enforcement, has contributed to a significant decline in homicides. Between January and June 2025, only four homicides were recorded—down sharply from fifteen during the same period in 2024.
Prime Minister Dr. Terrance Drew, a medical doctor, explained his motivation: “As a physician, I understand that societal issues—poverty, trauma, exclusion—are often the roots of crime. Adopting a scientific, data‑driven public health model was the only real way to address those underlying factors.”
The administration has since expanded investment in community outreach, youth mentorship, substance‑abuse treatment, and robust violence tracking.
Eartha Carey, Coordinator of the Citizen Security Secretariat, highlighted the importance of collaboration: “We continue to hold consultations across civil society, schools, counsellors and communities to ensure the programme truly reflects the needs of those who live in St Kitts and Nevis. Community engagement isn’t a checkbox—it is how we design an inclusive security strategy driven by everyone.” These consultations have informed tailored interventions, including mentoring initiatives and support for restorative justice circles.
The public health model treats violence like a contagion—uncovering risk factors, deploying targeted interventions, and continually evaluating results. This method has yielded striking outcomes elsewhere. In eastern Port‑of‑Spain, youth‑focused programmes saw homicides fall 55%, compared to a national drop of 17% . Bogotá’s Comunitad Segura strategy reduced homicides from 81 to 19 per 100,000 between 1993 and 2007 . New York’s Cure Violence program achieved average reductions of 14% in shootings .
St. Kitts and Nevis has mirrored these international successes. Since August 2024, a multi‑sector steering committee—including health, education, social services and police—has guided the strategy. Monthly data reviews ensure interventions remain responsive and effective. Deputy Prime Minister Dr. Geoffrey Hanley reports that “neighbourhoods feel safer and incidents have reduced significantly even before enforcement steps were taken.”
Experts stress that law enforcement alone is insufficient, as socio‑economic pressures drive much of the violence. The public health approach—blending prevention, rehabilitation, community empowerment and accountability—offers a sustainable model for peace. As the Drew administration looks ahead, plans are in place to extend youth outreach to rural areas and enhance rehabilitation and mental‑health services.
Stay informed with the latest news and updates from SKN Source! Click here to join our WhatsApp group and get updates straight to your mobile. Don’t forget to follow us on Facebook for more stories and insights!
Be the first to comment on "Public Health Approach to Crime and Violence Sparks Sharp Fall in Homicides"