Scores of children - some from very poor families - across Western Jamaica are being lured out of school to work in ganja fields, helping with the mass production of the narcotic drug for export.

The increase in ganja production over the past six years has kept Jamaica on the United States' 'blacklist' as one of the major drug-producing countries.

"We have seen evidence to suggest that children are helping in the cultivation of the drug," head of the Narcotics Division, Senior Superintendent Carlton Wilson, told The Gleaner when contacted yesterday.

His comment was supported by another senior officer who confirmed that "it is something that has been happening."

Confirmation

A number of farmers from western Jamaica who spoke with The Gleaner yesterday, on condition of anonymity, also confirmed that children have been kept busy in the fields cultivating ganja.

John Wayneof St. Elizabeth said he knew of several children who had been used to assist in the mass production of the illegal drug within the parish, an issue about which people in that community have expressed concern.

He claimed that both boys and girls as young as 12 years old, are involved on a part-time basis.

"When they reach middle teen some drop out of school and plant it (ganja) full-time," said John Wayne.

While some cultivate their own ganja fields when they grow older, others who attend school on the shift system are used to tend to the marijuana fields before and after classes.

"I doubt if they are paid. They go on the farm with relatives, get a pocket money or something like that," said Mr. Wayne.

He pointed to the communities of Slipe and Vineyard that are about three and five miles, respectively, from the parish capital of Black River, where children are involved in ganja cultivation.

In the meantime, a Westmoreland farmer told The Gleaner that children are not allowed on ganja farms as it is the perception that they talk a lot. According to him, there is at least one ganja farm operating in the parish that has a vehicle specifically for the use of transporting workers to and from the location.

Meanwhile, Children's Advocate Mary Clarke yesterday condemned parents whose children engage in the cultivation of ganja. She noted that parents should be held accountable for this criminal act and called for compulsory school attendance and truancy officers in schools.

"I think we have reached the point where we need compulsory education," said Mrs. Clarke, adding that children ought to be in schools, where the necessary knowledge is imparted and not in ganja fields.

Mrs. Clarke noted that the literacy rate was unsatisfactory and chided parents who keep their children away from school.

She reminded parents that there is the Programme of Advancement Through Health and Education to assist those who cannot afford to send their children to school.

Education Minister Andrew Holness said the government is to soon implement compulsory education up to age 18 which, will include compulsory attendance and compulsory enrolment.

On Monday the narcotics police seized over 11,300 pounds of compressed ganja, which has a street value of close to $1 billion. The drug was intercepted at Gordon Cay in the Kingston Harbour. One man has been arrested