The Editor, Sir:

I read your article about the rat infestation and the increased diseases they cause. I can't help but see a direct link with the attitudes of people regarding the disposal of rubbish.

So many times in speaking to people about the piles of litter/trash/rubbish, which line the streets and clog the waterways, their answer has been "I'm giving a job to someone by dropping my rubbish." Sometimes the problems that affect Jamaica are due to forces of nature, but so often they are either caused completely or compounded by the ignorance of people. Many people completely disown any responsibility for the poor state of elements of the country and use every problem as an excuse to blame the Government.

But with the problem of rats and also those of the floods, I see a perfect opportunity to visibly show people the effects of their actions. If I had a job with the department of health, I would be constantly pushing for a publicity campaign to make people feel the responsibility for the things they see around them.

Big business and influential bodies with Jamaica's best interests at heart need to promote these things, where there is a simple message that can be pushed to a large number of people with a degree of backing. Another part of the problem might be to encourage composting and to ensure that bins where provided aren't accessible to rodents.

I am, etc.,

NIGEL NECKLES

camerhogne1@yahoo.co.uk

Essex, United Kingdom

Via Go-Jamaica