The social and economic impact of rehabilitation and incarceration of drug users in Grenada

OBJECTIVE: To quantify the cost for rehabilitation, incarceration and loss of productivity for drug users, as well as general statistics for drug use in Grenada. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Data were obtained from various sources, and used in equations to assess different variables. Data from various institutions were also looked at to examine any trends that could be seen from January 2013 to June 2013. RESULTS: The calculated cost and length of stay for each prisoner in Grenada for drug use is EC $25 787.25. The number of substance use-induced hospital admissions and the cost per day is EC $2 092 501.55 for the 101 patients that were admitted over a six-month period. The calculation for number of people undergoing treatment and cost associated with the treatment is EC $617 680. Amount of wages lost due to premature death from substance use is EC $881 083.48. The costs for arresting and maintaining drug users is EC $2 682 120.74. The cost associated with loss of wages for being imprisoned is EC $2 714 148.08. The statistics from the various institutions showed that 76% of the individuals are males and the major problem substance in Grenada is marijuana, accounting for approximately 45% of the reported substances, and simple possession is the majority violation. CONCLUSION: Grenada spends a significant amount on incarcerating and rehabilitating individuals for substance use and the majority of those are for possession of marijuana. The next step is to come up with a plan to reduce the costs that accrue to the country in order to deal with illicit substance use.

Situational analysis of disabilities and rehabilitation in the English-speaking Caribbean

A situational analysis of the status of persons with disabilities and rehabilitation services in the english-speaking Caribbean was carried out during a three month period, March-May 1993 and was updated in February, 1994, by Dr. M. J. Thorburn and Mrs Geraldine Maison-Halls, PAHO/WHO short term consultants ... The analysis revealed that although rehabilitation services are in operation in all the countries, there is a great disparity between needs and available resources resulting in a serious deficit in services. The study highlighted a number of issues which have implications for effective planning and programming in rehabilitation. Included in the list of issues are the following; disability statistics, rehabilitation policies, rehabilitation service needs, manpower development, public education, community networking, CBR delivery models and research

Recent developments in low-cost screening and assessment of childhood disabilities in Jamaica. Part 2: Assessment

This paper summarise the requirements and criteria for assessment of childhood disabilities. It reviews recent research carried out in Jamaica and outlines procedures for medical and psychological assessment used in the International Epidemiological Study of Childhood and Disability as well as local experience in community-based rehabilitation. While the medical assessment procedures were considered to be validated, there is an urgent need for local research and development in psychological assessment. These approaches, while not perfect as yet, bring the possibility of local community capability closer. They will require changes in professional attitudes, training of health and educational personnel, and changes in the service systems, so that screening and assessment can be integrated into existing services. However, although this will obviate the need for new, specialised administrations, improved linkages and lines of referral will be necessary. (AU)

The prevalence of childhood disability and related medical diagnosis in Clarendon Jamaica

In a population-based survey in a defined area in the parish of Clarendon, Jamaica, the prevalence of six types of childhood disabilities was sought. All children aged 2-9 years who screened positive for disability, with 8 per cent of children screening negative (out of a total of 5,468 children), were assessed by a physician and a psychologist. Disabilities were categorised by types and levels of severity. The estimated prevalence rate for all types and levels of disabilities was 93.9 per 1,000 children and for serious disability was 24.9 per 1,000. The rates for specific disabilities showed wide variation (cognitive, 81/1,000; speech, 14/1,000; visual, 11/1,000; hearing, 9/1,000; motor, 4/1,000; seizure, 2/1000). Of the disabled children, 70 per cent had only one disability, 23 per cent had two and 6 per cent had three or four disabilities. If disability is to be seen as a major outcome of a range of interacting factors, then these prevalence rates, taken with the specific aetiologies, would provide a framework for planning preventive and rehabilitative interventions. (AU)

Service needs of children with disabilities in Jamaica

We investigated the service needs of children attending a medical assessment as part of a two stage survey of 2 to 9-year-old children in mid and south Clarendon, Jamaica. Parents were asked about symptoms relating to six different disabilities: visual, hearing, speech, motor, cognitive and fits. Following medical and psychological assessment, a diagnosis of mild, moderate, severe or no disability was made. For children with disabilities, the frequencies of five possible types of intervention recommended by the physician were analysed and related to the prevalence of the six disabilities in the parish. To estimate the needs of the Jamaican child population the figures were extrapolated based on an estimate of 1 million children under the age of 15 years. These needs were then compared with places in existing services. Of the disabled children, 62 percent needed special education, 29.5 percent needed community-based services, 21 percent needed spectacles, 21 percent needed specialist referral, and 6 percent required medical treatment. Although the vast majority of these needs are not met, many more could be met in the community if existing health and education personnel are trained in basic techniques of screening and assessment. (AU)

Health conditions in the Americas: health of adults and the elderly

Health status during adulthood is a result of both an individual's growth and development as a child and the continuous influence of genetic, ecological, social, and cultural factors that affect survival and society's productive activity. The diversity of socioeconomic, cultural, and epidemiological milieus gives rise to differences among the various societies with respect to characteristics of adult groups. Within the complex and varied situation found throughout the Region of the Americas, demographic shifts and changes in health profiles are signals of the large and growing health needs of adults and the elderly. In addition, the countries are beginning to give priority to the most prevalent problems in these populations and even more so to the need for social policies, plans, and programs aimed at the most vulnerable groups, particularly the elderly.

Burn care: symposium proceedings, 1988-1989

Burn injuries form a major part of the spectrum of trauma which absorbs so much of the health care resources in developing countries. The Jamaica Burn Programme was established to address this problem, through the collection and analysis of local information about burns and through the education of health and other interested professionals in the prevention and care of burn injuries. The first step was the establishment of a Burn Unit in May 1986 at the 500 bed University Hospital of the West Indies. The following year, a Post Basic Course for nurses was introduced and, to date three groups have graduated from this programme. In June 1988, a three day international symposium was held at the Medical Faculty of the University of the West Indies. One year later, a smaller meeting was held.The papers at both of these covered many relevant areas of burn care and were of excellent quality. The editors consider themselves fortunate to have been able to collect the majority of them for publication. This text is provided for the benefit of those who have the responsibility for promoting burn prevention or for caring for those with burn injuries (AU)