Phillips

Drug trafficking from Jamaica to the United Kingdom (UK) has suffered a significant decline as a result of efforts made through a programme dedicated to assisting women victimised by the practice.

The Hibiscus project has lead a cohesive effort against drug trafficking, which has seen the number of female Jamaican inmates in UK prisons fall from 700 to under 100.

A prestigious group of panellists assembled at the British High Commission in New Kingston on Wednesday to address an audience, comprised of school children, to highlight the dangers of drug trafficking and the effort necessary to combat it.

Personal tragedy

Among the panellists were Chief Justice Zaila McCalla; Senator Arthur Williams, state minister in the Ministry of National Security; and Olympic gold medallist Shelly-Ann Fraser.

"The problem of drug use does not only represent a personal tragedy, it affects the prestige of Jamaica," warned Olga Heaven, director of the Hibiscus project.

Though members of the panel highlighted the projects achievements, it was Wendy Phillips, a woman victimised by drug traffickers, who made the most powerful presentation at Wednesday's event.

Phillips spoke of the hardships endured by drug 'mules', outlining to The Gleaner the "shame" she endured after spending two and a half years in prison and returning to Jamaica. She said members of society teased her after her ordeal.

Financial problems

Phillips acknowledged that the financial problems she had been facing were the main reason for her decision to become a drug 'mule'.

Thinking she was going to a loan officer, she was instead offered the opportunity to traffic drugs for quick cash.

Phillips claimed she "didn't know of the dangers" as a common trick of drug dealers is to give victims a false sense of security. She said the drug dealers exploited her as "they know where you're weak".

Ridicule

She said that, along with the ridicule she faced, she felt "guilty" about leaving her children back in in Jamaica.

While in prison in the United Kingdom, Phillips' son was shot, an event that obviously still affects her.

She said that, since her incarce-ration, Hibiscus has been a great help to her and that, with the statistics revealing that the number of Jamaican drug 'mules' has been significantly reduced, the project's efforts are evidently succeeding.