Saint Giles Hospital consultant psychiatrist Dr Myrielle Allen has raised urgent concerns about increasing readmission rates among patients struggling with drug addiction.

During the speakers’ panel on medications, Dr. Allen revealed that 68 percent of hospital admissions are repeat patients.

She also highlighted the ongoing challenges related to substance abuse and its devastating effects on individuals and families.

Dr. Allen says that of those seeking help, about 70 percent of cases are related to substance abuse.

“Among those who use drugs, 92% use more than one. The most common are marijuana, methamphetamines, glue and benzene. Among those using substances, from October of last year to October of this year, we documented 57 young people who were HIV positive.

Dr. Allen reveals that the majority are young men from modest economic backgrounds, many of whom begin using substances at a very young age.

“Most of them come from modest economic backgrounds and are unemployed or farmers. They are honest enough to say that they plant for personal use or economic purposes. Many of them also have cases in court, such as DVROs or assault cases.

It calls on relevant authorities to develop effective strategies to combat drug addiction and improve mental health outcomes.