Government has teamed up with Island Soccer League Commissioner David Bascome to launch an anti-gang initiative called Hope for Life.

Announcing the $200,000 venture this afternoon, Minister of Labour, Home Affairs and Housing David Burch explained it will focus on four areas - education about the pitfalls of drugs and violence, providing positive alternatives, good decision making and resisting negative peer pressure.

“The growing problem of drugs and violence has escalated to a level that has never been witnessed before. We hear cries from members of the public that something needs to be done - and needs to be done now,” said Sen. Burch - presenting the homegrown anti-gang initiative as the solution.

For more on this story, see tomorrow’s edition of The Royal Gazette.