Coolie Town: Are the Recent Deaths Symptomatic of Much Bigger Problems?

[dropcap]A[/dropcap] report by the Saint Lucia Social Development Fund describes Coolie Town as a “tiny, peaceful, relatively undiscovered community” that “rests almost hidden in the heart of the undulating, verdant banana plantation of the Roseau Valley”. However, the recent deaths of four Coolie Town residents have brought this community into the spotlight. One media outlet reported, “Public health officials believe the deaths are linked to an alcohol-laced chemical substance that was sold at various Coolie Town bars.” It was further indicated that “the Ministry of Health is still working to determine the scope of the exposure to the chemical and plans to establish a medical outpost in Coolie Town”. While the general thrust in the coming weeks might be to determine the source of the substance and the scope of the problem, this event presents an opportunity to assess the needs of the community and the urgent call to action. The lack of attention to these needs may have contributed in some ways to these deaths.

It would be difficult for public officials not to notice at least two of the many social problems, alcohol abuse and teenage pregnancy.  These social problems were among those highlighted in the assessment by the Saint Lucia Social Development Fund. The assessment also indicated that there were nine rum shops in the community. However, the recent investigation by public officials will reveal more rum shops if they take into account persons who are selling liquor from their homes. It was noted that the decline in banana production has had a tremendous negative impact on the livelihood of persons from Coolie Town. It is not surprising that the number of illegal “rum-spots” would increase as alcohol, because of its addictive and mood-altering nature, provides a win-win situation, at least in the short run, for the transacting parties.

The features of one of the interviewees from the community who reported ingesting some of the tainted substance seems symptomatic of the problem. One of the greatest dangers of selling liquor from one’s dwelling is the exposure of household members, especially children, to alcohol use and abuse. It will be difficult for the authorities to gain the full scope of the distribution of this harmful substance, if the cooperation of these “rum-spots” is crucial, as this may pose a threat to their main source of income.

Another concern highlighted in the assessment was “transactional sex”.  This may be a contributing factor in the high prevalence of teenage pregnancy. It is possible that children born to teenage parents are more often than not those mentioned in the assessment. It is of great concern that these social problems may be supplanted by the public’s unilateral focus on the symptoms (the deaths) rather than the possible convergence of the social problems detailed by the Saint Lucia Social Development Fund.

It is hoped that this event will provide an opportunity for the relevant governmental and non-governmental organisations to revisit the development plan for the community. It is a golden opportunity to assess the degree to which some of the suggestions by community members were met and what is sorely needed under the current state of affairs.