The National Security Council (NSC) is warning Jamaicans, particularly young people, to avoid the use of ‘Molly’ and all other drugs.

The Office of the Prime Minister (OPM) indicated this morning (October 5) that the NSC, during its meeting on September 29, received a presentation from the National Council on Drug Abuse (NCDA) highlighting the increased use of psychoactive substances and its deviant effect on our youth, particularly coming out of the COVID-19 pandemic.

It was highlighted that a recent situational assessment undertaken in May 2022 by the NCDA has pointed to a growing trend in the use of methylenedioxymethamphetamine, commonly known as ‘Molly’, particularly among the youth and young adults.

The NCDA indicated that the impact of the drug has manifested in increased socially risky and physically dangerous behaviour.

“Considering the national implications, the prime minister has directed that the laws around these psychoactive substances be updated to adequately capture the threat they pose and hold to account the producers and traffickers of the substances,” the OPM said.

Prime Minister Andrew Holness chairs the NSC.

The OPM indicated that the NSC was also advised that, aside from the risks associated with the psychoactive substance, the vast majority of the drug being sold on the market to unsuspecting users contain other dangerous and toxic synthetic substances which often have negative long-term effects on the human body.