A recent World Bank study in the Caribbean found that 20 per cent of young men were involved in some sort of illegal activity, ranging from being in gangs to the carrying of weapons to armed conflict and fights.
By Gyasi GonzalesThis was disclosed yesterday by National Security Minister Martin Joseph as he addressed a large gathering of teenagers and their parents, during a prize-giving ceremony for the winners of an essay writing competition carried out by Crime Stoppers.
Joseph was the feature speaker and disclosed that although no study had been conducted locally, the trend pointed to "a greater amount of youth being involved in violent crime where there are those intent on luring the youth into a life of quick fortune".
"But it is also a life of uncertainty and unease," he warned.
The Minister added: "We are reminded of this on a daily basis where we find young men guilty of murder, wounding and gun possession."
Similar concerns for young people were expressed by Commissioner of Police, Trevor Paul, who described some young people as "quick bearing fruit" who tend to bear offspring in "quick time", while they themselves might not have yet learned the art of proper parenting.
In an address directed at the parents of the 50 young people at the ceremony, Crime Stoppers chairman, Clint Williams, said two of the things needed most by children were love and reassurance.
"If not," he said, "there is a drug dealer, a gun runner or a paedophile right around the corner to tell that child what he/she needs to hear."
