Offices and Departments

Narcotics Affairs Section (NAS)

The Narcotics Affairs Section (NAS) in the U.S. Embassy administers bilateral counter-narcotics agreements and advises the Ambassador and the U.S. Government on counter-narcotics policy. NAS receives its authority from the Department of State's Bureau for International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs. The U.S. has provided funding for Government of Jamaica (GOJ) counter-drug efforts continuously since 1987. U.S. Department of State counter-drug funding for Jamaica, 1987-1998, exceeds that provided to any other Caribbean nation. Among the areas supported by NAS are the following: 
 

Demand Reduction

The addiction alert organization has received U. S.  funding for its adolescent drug prevention program through donations for training, operations support and the donation of an emergency assistance vehicle. The GOJ has used extensively the audiovisual, print media and other materials produced by U.S. Military Information Support Teams (MIST) deployed in country. The MIST teams have worked with the National Council on Drug Abuse to develop and distribute materials reinforcing an anti-drug message.  The Drug Abuse Council developed its own program this year,  "Project Squeaky," using funds donated by the U.S. government.
  

Bilateral Cooperative Efforts  

Bilateral law enforcement projects in Jamaica have received $16,022,000 between 1972 and 1996. In 1997, Jamaica received $750,000; in 1998, $600,000; in 1999 $690,000; and in 2000, $669,000 and in 2002, $519,539, for projects in the following categories:    

• Purchase of equipment: computers, vehicles, simulator, communication and equipment for law enforcement forces

• Training, using instructors from DEA, FBI, U.S. Marshal Service, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, & Firearms, U.S. Customs Service, and other U.S. entities and is augmented by additional funding from INL/Washington.
   

Current Projects Include:

• Marijuana Eradication Program.  This program began in the 1970's and is a joint effort of the Governments of Jamaica and the United States in which the U. S provides equipment and construction facilities for the project workers. 
  
• Drug Interdiction Program.  The U.S. has agreed to continue to support the Jamaican Government's anti-drug agencies to enhance drug interdiction capability and efforts to significantly increase cocaine, heroin and marijuana seizures, drug arrests, and prosecutions.  Past support has included the provision of Boston Whaler, Avance, SeaArk boats and 82 foot coastguard patrol boats.  More recently, the U.S. has donated three 43-foot go-fast patrol boats costing over 1.5 million U.S. dollars.
  
• Port Security Program.   The United States has offered to support a Port Security Program to disrupt narcotics smuggling via commercial cargo and conveyances at air and seaports and free trade zones. Equipment such as the ION scan machines at both international airports is funded under this project.  

Narcotics Affairs Section Hours

Monday - Friday 7:15 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. 

The American Embassy is closed on all Jamaican and U.S. holidays.

Narcotics Affairs Section Staff