The Editor, Sir:

Over the last three years, the Youth Service has shared their youth with our NGO in a very special way and we are grateful. I would like to make the following suggestions to the Government:

1. Increase significantly the amount budgeted for the Youth Service, so that more creative social programmes can be instituted and more intensive studies in English grammar implemented.

2. Initiate a parent-to-student programme where the family can be monitored and made accountable. Training these young people and returning them daily to a socially toxic home and community is unacceptable. We can help the families of Jamaica to recapture their self-esteem and self-worth, by allowing them to do for themselves, hence, when a child returns to his or her home in the evenings, they can talk with their parents, have 'common ground', and start to 'detox'.

3. Encourage corporate Jamaica to invest in the National Youth Service. Get the banks and investment houses to commit a small percentage of their profits to the Youth Service.

Implementing the above ideas will see a significant decrease in the crime rate in Jamaica.

I am, etc,

ROSEMARIE GREENE

spntwncitizensagv@ cwjamaica.com

Spanish Town Citizens

Against Gun Violence

2 Hanover Street

Spanish Town

Via Go-Jamaica