AFAFOSA

The Launch of Association of Friends and Families of Substance Abuers (AFAFOSA)

The Association of Friends and Families of Substance Abusers (AFAFOSA) was launched in Kingston, Jamaica, at the Medallion Hall Hotel by the then Minister of  Justice, Hon. Keith D. Knight. QC. It was a grand Affair with participants  from the Corporate Area in attendance. The venue was made possible by the Owner, Mr.Owen Bromfield who is a  J.P and Member of the Lay Magistrates’ Association of Jamaica. Refreshments were provided by Desnoes and Geddes and complimentary hors de vours by the Medallion Hall. Music was provided by the Magnificent Saga, the school band of the Denham Town High School featuring Mrs. Melissett Rodriques, Music and Spanish Teacher on the staff.

The name AFAFOSA was conceived by the founder while on a Commonwealth assignment in Malawi. It was born from the needs and deprivation of persons who want to return to “civility” to shed the shackles of drug addiction and once again contribute to society.

There are two Drug Courts in Jamaica, one in Kingston and the other in Montego Bay, and each one has been doing magnificent job in the management and rehabilitation of these persons whose core crime is addiction. Drug Courts are the new and innovative way of dealing with these offenders with much understanding within the law and with as little physical and mental punishment as is possible.

When one sits on the bench and sees the almost helpless creatures/sufferers because of drugs, dazed, uncomfortable, uncontrollable and weak, the Presiding Magistrate has to become, within the law of course, a mentor and friend. The creation of the Drug Court has shown a light, a beacon to amelioration of conditions and the possibility of family reorganization for accommodation and help.

After this glorious opportunity of   incarceration for betterment, trial, reprimanding, delving into the causes for the addiction, and promoting conditional methods for rehabilitation …….. the opportunity is sometimes stifled for the want of funds.

AFAFOSA has been the hand behind the scene helping to fund the project.

At our next meeting we shall be presented with more statistics as to how many persons are being treated at the Centre in Maxfield Park, and progressively as time goes by.

But! AFAFAFOSA is not only for Jamaica, we will be enlisting as Members of the National Association for Drug Court Professionals (NADPT )and will be actively pursuing the objectives of this Association with the aim of becoming members to attend as we may, the Conferences all over America, Canada and wherever else there might be Conferences.

AFAFOSA is off to a good start and with the enthusiasm of its members and the cooperation and goodwill of the Government of Jamaica we will become a force to be reckoned with.