The National Youth Parliament Association has confronted the growing issue of substance abuse among young people, sparking calls for urgent government action.

During a recent session, participants aged between 13 and 18 highlighted what they described as an alarming increase in drug misuse following the decriminalisation of cannabis in 2018.

Kashan Jarvis, the 17-year-old Prime Minister in the Youth Parliament representing St. John’s Royal South, led a resolution urging amendments to the Misuse of Drugs Act. His proposals include holding parents accountable when cannabis is found in their homes, establishing a national youth rehabilitation initiative, and launching comprehensive public education campaigns.

“Let us be serious to ourselves and acknowledge that this is a dangerous loophole affecting our society today,” Mr Jarvis told the assembly. “An idle mind is a devil’s playground. We will invest in sports, arts, mentorships, skills training and safe spaces for our youth to grow in mind, body, and purpose.”

His 10-point action plan also includes organising a drug-free bike ride in the coming weeks to raise awareness and engage young people directly.

However, the resolution was met with cautious support from Opposition Leader Crystal Pal, who questioned whether decriminalisation had unintentionally led to increased drug misuse among youths.

“We must ask, has decriminalisation opened the floodgates for youth misuse? And if so, is it time to revisit the law?” Ms Pal said. “Are we crafting policies based on perception or on evidence? Without fully understanding the extent of the problem, how can we hope to solve it?”

The Youth Parliament’s resolution will now be formally submitted to the government, urging policymakers to consider these youth-driven recommendations to better protect minors from substance abuse.