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Dr. Winston De La Haye and a former 'molly' user
As concerns continue to grow about the use of the synthetic drug "molly" among school aged children, at least one psychiatrist is calling for parents to remain vigilant.
The study also outlined that the substances are easily accessible to students.
In an interview with Radio Jamaica News, psychiatrist Dr. Winston De La Haye, called for parents to discuss substance abuse with their children.
He said parents should ensure children are aware of "alternative methods of feeling happy... doing healthy things, eating well, feeling good, [and] helping others".
A healthy and drug-free lifestyle, he said, is much better than the risk of swallowing a capsule, "then have that feeling in the next 15 minutes, be the life of the party and come home and struggle".
Dr. De La Haye added that entry into university is a well-known risk period for increased availability and access to drugs.
He noted that it is not uncommon for straight 'A' students to start using the drug, begin to struggle and drop out of college by the second year.
The NCDA report, titled A Rapid Situation Assessment on Substance Use and Urgent Issues in Secondary Schools, was generated from a survey conducted May this year.
Some 160 grades eight to ten students in 13 parishes participated in the study.
Former 'molly' user
A former molly user has warned against the use of the drug.
The 23-year-old, who struggled with substance abuse for years, told Radio Jamaica News that she was first introduced to the drug by a friend who put the drug in her drink unbeknown to her.
After that, she started taking molly regularly, despite concerns from her relatives.
But it was one particular event that made her rethink the practice.
"The last time I take molly, I was on a upstairs building and I fell from the upstairs to the downstairs; could lose my life," she shared.
The moment was a wakeup call and the woman said she has broken her silence in hopes of dissuading others from using the drug.
"It is not good for no one to take," she insisted. "It is something that can cost your life."
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