Authorities of San Juan are currently faced with escalating crime and drug problems in its city streets. Last 2008, Puerto Rico reached an all-time record of murders in the island, passing the 800 mark for that year. Majority of the slayings were reportedly associated with drug trafficking. Murder cases were no longer confined to areas such as San Juan, Bayamon, Carolina, Guaynabo and southern parts of Ponce but the incidences are now spread all over Puerto Rico. The findings also show that majority of the victims were men between the ages 20 and 30.
In order to cope up with the growing dilemma, a campaign was carried out by the University of Puerto Rico’s Commission for the Prevention of Violence or Coprevi called “Let’s Be Instruments of Peace”. The campaign aims to increase awareness of citizens about their active participation to help solve the violence rates in Puerto Rico. UPR’s Cayey campus chancellor, Ram Lamba says that the campaign is a way to invite people to take action rather than a preventive measure. The Coprevi program was made by an executive order in 2004, with the purpose of treating violence as a public-health problem that needs to be analyzed from an environmental standpoint.
The campaign consisted of several media commercial and press ads with Mahatma Gandhi and Mother Teresa as role models, along with local personalities like Sor Isolina Ferre and the director of Community Initiative, Jose Vargas. The campaign is sending a message by emphasizing on ways to improve the quality of life in Puerto Rico’s communities. This way, Coprevi taps on the responsibility of its citizens to help build peace.
The law enforcement sector admitted that the problem they currently have is not something that can be corrected just by increasing the numbers of the police force. He noted that a serious analysis of the situation is called for, with other sectors of society pitching in. Revisions on the punitive system of dealing with criminals are also being addressed. The Department of correction and Rehabilitation started with a program against addiction in penal colonies based on administering methadone. Results have been favorable at present.
The crime and drug problem in Puerto Rico may not be solved immediately, but efforts are being made to gradually lessen and control the predicament. Since public health is also affected by this dilemma, there is also a challenge for the local public health sector to take steps in administering effective anti-drug campaigns, preventive measures and comprehensive treatment programs. Drug testing may be one of the ways for drug users to seek medical help for their drug problems. With the easy access to drugs like marijuana and cocaine, it is not impossible that even some of the people employed in companies are into drugs. The SAMSHA’s guidelines in the workplace need also to be emphasized. Employers can start drug-free workplace polices in their own companies as their contribution to help solve the city’s drug problem. Testcountry’s drug test kits may be used not only by employers but in anti-drug prevention programs as well. Drug test kits are available ate their website at Testcountry.com. Drug testing can help and encourage drug users get into treatment programs. People can also get drug tests in the following drug testing centers:
• Quest Diagnostics – Laboratorio Clinico
Calle Las Marias #214 Hyde Park Rio Piedras PR 00927
Phone: (787) 751 – 7773
Fax 787-274-0639
• Quest Diagnostics – Laboratorio Clinico
Carretera # 2 Km. 11.8
Edificio Federal
Frente al Hospital Hermanos Melendez
Bayamon, PR 00960
Phone: (787) 787-8892
(787) 787-7577
Fax: (787) 787-6336
