The Editor, Sir:

All Jamaicans should become aware that the country's debt is approaching one trillion Jamaican dollars. The consequences of this are extremely alarming for this generation and those to come.

The high interest payments on this debt means that money that goes to paying interest should have been going to the following: purchasing equipment for the police and increasing their pay; better salaries for teachers and nurses; fixing our roads which are in a terrible condition.

There has to be a way we can have a stable exchange rate, low inflation, low interest and high growth. Barbados, with little natural resources, has had a stable foreign exchange for 40 years, low interest, low inflation and high growth. They also have a lower crime rate and a smaller gap between the rich and the poor. What have we missed? Why not learn from another country that has done so much better than us?

May we wake up to the true condition of this country. The only glimmer of hope for us is a change of government.

I am, etc.,

STEPHEN HEWAN

Molynes Road

Kingston 10