UTech, Jamaica and NCDA Sign Contract for ‘Good Ganja Sense’ Communication Project

Mr. Michael Tucker (left), Executive Director, National Council on Drug Abuse (NCDA)and Professor Colin Gyles, Acting President, University of Technology, Jamaica (UTech, Jamaica) display a copy of a contract for a consultancy project titled ‘Good Ganja Sense’ to be executed by the University through its Communication Arts and Technology Unit in the Faculty of Education and Liberal Studies.  The contract was formally signed on Friday, February 19, 2021 at the UTech, Jamaica Papine Campus. 

University of Technology, Jamaica (UTech, Jamaica) and the National Council on Drug Abuse (NCDA) on Friday, February 19, 2021 signed a service contract for the execution of a communication campaign aimed at creating authentic messages to improve the ganja literacy of the general population, rooted in science rather than in myth. The project dubbed ‘Good Ganja Sense’ is being carried out by the Communication Arts and Technology Unit in the Faculty of Education and Liberal Studies (FELS) with lead consultant Dr. Rohan Lewis, former Dean of the Faculty and Coordinator of CAT Productions – the in-house media production agency linked to the Bachelor of Arts in Communication Arts and Technology (BACAT) in FELS.

The University was awarded the 12-month consultancy project by the NCDA following a successful competitive bid.

The impetus for the campaign has been driven by a general misunderstanding of the legislative changes following from the 2015 Amendments to the Dangerous Drugs Act which included the decriminalization of the possession of two ounces or less of Ganja.  The NCDA and the Ministry of Health and Wellness have pointed to sustained increase in the use or misuse of ganja among students in the local school system and the resulting negative health and social consequences in many cases.

Acting President, UTech, Jamaica, Professor Colin Gyles and Mr. Michael Tucker, Executive Director, NCDA signed the contract on behalf of their respective institutions. 

Welcoming the development, Professor Gyles noted that he was pleased that expertise at UTech, Jamaica has been tapped as the vehicle to assist in seeking to address misunderstandings that exist in the population concerning the use of ganja.  He thanked the NCDA for the confidence placed in the institution to partner on the campaign and expressed hope that it will educate persons in understanding that the amendments to the Dangerous Drugs Act are “not just about freeing up the weed.”  The acting President further pointed out that “at UTech, Jamaica we have been very careful to note that our interest lies in the scientific research and medicinal use of ganja and so we discourage the use for recreational purposes not only in the wider society but particularly on the campus.”  He added that “we have a zero tolerance vision where the smoking of ganja or any form of substance is concerned on the campus and in this context the ‘Good Ganja Sense’ campaign is therefore not only timely but is critical in engendering common ground and understanding on this very important subject.”

Mr. Tucker in his remarks said that “NCDA is pleased to enter this partnership with UTech to provide evidence-based public education to the Jamaican population. We anticipate the highest quality of professionalism as is customary for the initiatives undertaken by this University,” he noted, adding that “the team at NCDA has had a good experience with your team thus far in our working relationship and look forward to the next steps.” 

Noting that the NCDA has been accused of “demonizing ganja,” Mr. Tucker emphasized that the ‘Good Ganja Sense’ educational project is intended to advance the population’s knowledge in relation to the scientific value of ganja; enlighten people on how to operate in an environment where ganja is decriminalized and to support the Government’s thrust for a structured and organized local cannabis industry.   He expressed confidence in the successful outcome of the partnership with UTech, Jamaica, noting that “the NCDA was particularly pleased with the comprehensive and practical proposal submitted by Dr. Lewis and his team … for its application of knowledge to action.”

L-R: Dr. Paul Ivey, Associate Vice President, Graduate Studies, Research and Entrepreneurship, Dr. Harold McDermott, Vice-Dean, Faculty of Education and Liberal Studies (FELS) , Dr. Clover Jones-McKenzie, Head, School of Humanities and Social Sciences, FELS, Professor Colin Gyles, Acting President, Mr. Michael Tucker, Executive Director, National Council on Drug Abuse (NCDA) and Dr. Rohan Lewis, Associate Professor, School of Humanities and Social Sciences, FELS and lead consultant on the Good Ganja Sense project, pose for a group photo following the contract signing ceremony at the UTech, Jamaica Papine Campus on Friday, February 19, 2021.

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Contact:
Michelle Beckford (Mrs.)
Corporate Communications Manager
University of Technology, Jamaica
Telephone: 876 970-5299 
Email: mbeckford@utech.edu.jm