Fewer adolescents are consuming alcohol and using cannabis.
That’s among the findings of the 2026 Global School-Based Student Health Survey, GSHS, on Jamaica.
Health Minister, Dr Christopher Tufton, provided the details at a press briefing at the Pan American Health Organisation in Kingston on Wednesday.
Colliecia Wright reports.
The Global School-Based Student Health Survey was developed by the World Health Organization.
It dives into the health, behaviours and experiences of Jamaican adolescents.
The 2026 survey on Jamaican adolescents was conducted by the National Council on Drug Abuse between January and March.
The views of over 3,000 high school students between grades 7 and 12 were canvassed on issues including mental wellness, substance use, bullying, social media use, sleep and other health-related behaviours.
The findings revealed a noticeable decline in the consumption of alcohol and use of cannabis among teens.
Still, Dr Christopher Tufton notes that early-onset drinking remains a constant issue among the youths.
The Health Minister says the survey found that students are attending school under the influence of cannabis and other substances.
Minister Tufton says work is currently underway to establish an alcohol and tobacco policy to help combat these challenges.
The Global School-Based Student Health Survey was last conducted in 2010 and 2017.
Meanwhile, Acting Principal Director of the public education and treatment branch at the National Council on Drug Abuse, Uki Atkinson, is expressing concern about the growing popularity of synthetic drugs among high school students.
Uki Atkinson, Acting Principal Director of the public education and treatment branch at the NCDA.
