Yahneake Sterling, Staff Reporter
SIXTY-SEVEN thousand violence-related injuries are treated at the Kingston Public Hospital (KPH) yearly. Seven hundred million dollars in direct costs and $7 billion in indirect hospital costs are incurred yearly. This is the result of the effect of crime and violence on the society.
In addressing the issue, the Ministry of Health in collaboration with the Violence Prevention Alliance and the Churches' Violence Prevention Networking Group (CVPNG), on Saturday hosted a Youth Leaders Workshop.
"The aim is to get youth leaders to understand what are the chief problems in violence, what are the key messages in violence and how they as young people can do something about violence prevention in their communities," Dr. Elizabeth Ward, director of disease prevention and control at the Ministry of Health, told The Gleaner.
Dr. Ward noted that the ministry would rather focus on leading young men to become more productive instead of patching them up in the hospitals daily.
"The youth have creative energy and a young person who really believes, can reach out and make a difference within their little sphere or community," she stressed.
Meanwhile, Veronica Metz, coordinator for the workshop and a member of the CVPNG said "we are hoping that this will sensitise the youth to the level of violence and how it impacts not only their lives but everybody else's."
The Reverend Percival Palmer, associate pastor at Whole Life Ministries, emphasised the role of the Church in stemming the level of crime and violence in the country.
"The Church must set the foundation, live by example, show love and get involved in the community," he said. "Our responsibility is to be the model and lead the way."
Revd. Palmer further said that one way that the church can help to curb violence, is through sporting activities.
"Sports provides a structure through which we can begin to help young people, especially young men," he argued. "If we organise ourselves, we can use sports to bridge the gap between our young people."
