Young people who are constantly exposed to violence invariably develop complex psychosomatic illnesses which very often lead to other chronic non-communicable diseases (NCDs) such as diabetes, hypertension, and heart disease, according to CARICOM Deputy Programme Manager for Youth Development Dr Heather Johnson.
Johnson, who also majored in psychology, made this disclosure in her opening remarks at the national consultation on youth gangs and gang violence organised by the CARICOM Secretariat, with support from the United Nations Development Programme, in St Kitts and Nevis on Monday. She said that while globalisation and new media technologies had created several opportunities for young people, it had also exposed them to unprecedented levels of risk and vulnerability, a press release from the CARICOM Secretariat said. She also pointed out that young people who were both the victims and perpetrators of violence were committing more vicious and senseless crimes each day.
Johnson noted that an effective response to this problem is urgently needed and CARICOM’s Social Development and Crime Prevention Action Plan was one such response that could help to
