A former Molly user has come out in support of the Government's plan to strengthen the laws relating to the use, sale, possession and trafficking of the new-age psychoactive drug that is being abused by fun seekers, particularly teens and young adults.
The user, Jill*, who was featured by this newspaper five months ago, told THE STAR yesterday that the updated laws cannot come soon enough for her.
"I have turned against it now and I have stopped taking Molly because it is causing a lot of damage to the young people, especially teenagers," the ex-Molly addict said.
"It is really sad to see the youths going down because of this drug. It has created a lot of damage for me to the point where if I have a simple sickness people are going to say is Molly mi take. I am against it now. I regret taking it, although they say you should not regret anything you do in life, but I still regret it, and I have learnt my lesson," she added.
Prime Minister Andrew Holness, during the recent sitting of the National Security Council, said that the use of Molly represents a threat to the population. He said that based on considering the national implications, there is a need for the laws around psychoactive substances be updated to "adequately capture the threat they pose and hold to account the producers and traffickers of the substances".
The National Council on Drug Abuse (NCDA), in a presentation to the security council, highlighted the increased use of psychoactive substances such as Molly, and its deviant effect on our youth. The NCDA said that the use of the drug has manifested in increased socially risky and physically dangerous behaviour.
Jill, 22, told THE STAR that she began using the drug when she was 19. She said that her then boyfriend slipped the drug into her drink without her knowledge, while they were at an exotic club in St James.
"Afterward mi end up take it by myself. It can be addictive as ganja. It gives yuh a high that nothing can be compared to, especially when it is taken with alcohol," she said.
In addition to Molly, Jill said she is concerned about the ease with which youngsters, especially school children, are able to access drugs.
"Rummy bears, jello shots, Ecstasy and other drugs are out there. Vaping and weed brownie are in the school dem. Yuh have people who sell dem at school gates too. This ting rough bad because yuh have to have a firm head to take these drugs, and peer pressure will make yuh overdose. Right now punishment is not what is required in instances where yuh find out say children are taking drugs. It doesn't make sense to put them in homes or anything. They need counselling and therapy sessions or else they are going to do it again," Jill said.
As for the Government's intent to update the existing laws, Jill said the punishment should reflect the enormity of the problem now faced by the society. She would be OK with first-time offenders being fined, but is adamant that persons who sell Molly and other psychoactive drugs to minors should serve time behind bars.
* Name changed to protect identity.
