Committed to his family and drug enforcement
Jeff Jackson is one versatile young man. A dedicated drug enforcement agent, a committed father and so much more, heepitomises the self-assured, ambitious man of this millennium. Photo by Miguel Escalante
When Mr. Jeff Jackson arrived for this interview at his office he was running late.
This came as a slight surprise having already taken note of his efficient and organised approach after an initial telephone conversation.
Upon meeting him, however, any confusion about his tardiness evaporated. Apparently, on his way out of the door at home his wife had reminded him that he had promised to stop off at his son's school to listen to the six-year-old participate in National Reading Day presentations.
Being the kind of father that he is, Mr. Jackson kept his word, and delayed his early morning routine to work to show his support for his son.
"I'm very committed to my family because this is something that was instilled in me from my parents, to whom I am very grateful," he explains.
Mr. Jeff Jackson with Senior Customs Officer Canine Inspector Mr. Malachi Powery carrying out an inspection.
What Mr. Jackson does for a living is a far cry from the warm and nurturing environment of family life. He spends his working hours dealing with a world which is sometimes harsh and cold, even demoralising.
Mr. Jackson, 36, is the Assistant Collector of Customs and the Head of Customs Narcotics Enforcement. He has been in this employment for the past 18 years.
He says, "I joined the customs department because I love the type of work that it involves. It is very challenging. I wanted to make a positive contribution to my country."
Mr. Jeff Jackson standing next to his secretary Ms. Ardell Archer.
While talking to him, one is struck by how serious he is. He appears to be the sort of person who really sticks to whatever he sets out to do; character traits which undoubtedly prove to be essential in his line of business.
Trying to lessen or eradicate illegal drugs in the Cayman Islands, or anywhere else for that matter, can be a monumental task. Where does one even begin?
"My job can be very tedious. This issue (drug trafficking) is a focus at the moment. It's an effort between the Customs Department, the National Drug Council (NDC) and other non-government organisations (NGOs). We really try to coordinate our efforts in order to educate our children in the dangers and ill effects of drug abuse. I also work very closely with Cayman Against Substance Abuse (CASA)," he says.
Mr. Jeff Jackson on duty at the airport.
He continues: "There have been many achievements in the department over the years that continue to make me exceptionally proud of our officers and being part of it. The experience in working with such a diverse team of good officers continues to be an enjoyable one for me. Every officer, whether individually or collectively has contributed greatly to the overall success of the department."
Mr. Jackson describes an on-island drug problem that is "escalating", particularly in the last five years and he shows a little nostalgia when he concedes "Cayman was always this tranquil place".
He says: "But as the world changes, it obviously affects us as well. If you look back to maybe ten or fifteen years ago we didn't have a drug problem. Now it's everywhere. Those are days gone by."
He appears a determined individual whose endeavours to make changes are genuine. Mr. Jackson talks a little about his involvement in the community and makes clear the fact that it is through direct contact with young people that there can be any hope of re-routing potentially destructive behaviour.
He remarks: "I believe in the promise of Cayman, in the idea that we must always integrate our newest advances and knowledge with our oldest values. We owe it to our children."
He gives examples such as the numerous lectures that he and his fellow officers present at local schools and various organisations to raise drug awareness. Educating the youth of today about the problems of using drugs is, he demonstrates, a necessary and good first step towards helping them to make the choice to abstain, to say no.
Mr. Jackson conveys his resolve to continue to fight this battle against drugs.
He comments: "Drugs and addiction are my passionate areas in this job. It's self-satisfying when you can actually make a drug interdiction, whereby you can prevent those drugs from reaching the streets. I think that through the coordinated efforts with not only the government, but also the private sector and other NGOs, we are making an impact on it (drug abuse), even though there is still quite a lot of work to be done and we should not become complacent."
Mr. Jackson gravitated towards the airport and its surroundings since he graduated from the Cayman Islands High School. His first job was with Cayman Airways where he spent three years working as a customer service agent.
He considers that experience to have been a very good opportunity which he suggests, provided him with a "kick-start" to his career. He recounts how many people he was able to meet during those years with Cayman Airways, indicating his sociable disposition and making known his personal enjoyment in interacting with the community at large.
Even with his demanding work schedule, Mr. Jackson has structured his time to include his involvement in several organisations. He is a member of the National Drug Council for which he sits on several boards. He is also a member of the Kiwanis Club and has just ended a two-year stint on the Cayman Islands Government Service Association Board.
As already illustrated, family life features high on his priority list. He is clearly glad to chat about his wife Ana who also works at the airport for Air Agencies and his children, Jessica, 12, Jonathan, 6, and adopted daughter Elena, 15.
The story about Elena is moving. According to Mr. Jackson, he first met her when she was only two years old and he kept in close contact with her, building a relationship. She is originally from Honduras and this is how he encapsulates the tale;
"Over the years I got to know her and adore her. I fell in love with her and when she was ten years old we adopted her," he says.
In keeping with his love of children, he is a dedicated board member of the George Hicks High School's Parent Teacher Association (PTA).
The older son of Baldwin and Natalie Jackson says that he owes a lot to his parents. He expresses these sentiments:
"My parents are my heroes, and I look up to them greatly because of the discipline, commitment and dedication they displayed towards us [he has one brother, Jaron]. They have always been there for us. They raised us. I am very thankful for all they did. I try to do whatever I can possibly do to show them my gratitude and appreciation."
He expands on the subject by highlighting his belief in the concept of integrity, a value to which he credits his parents for teaching him.
Deviating momentarily he adds: "I'm very religious minded. I really believe in God. Without His help and guidance I don't think I could have reached [the place] where I am today."
As well as aiming to keep his soul and spirit healthy, Mr. Jackson also believes in taking care of his body. He is a keen athlete who discloses a "passion" for soccer. Finding the time isn't easy so he usually manages to get games in on weekends and enjoys playing with the Customs Department Soccer Team during the season.
The interest in sports goes further. This ball-playing civil servant has a penchant for bodybuilding and puts his well-known self-discipline into action first thing in the early morning by hitting the gym for a workout session.
He says: "I am a body builder. I believe in making time to keep fit; it helps me to deal with the stress at work. It's important to keep oneself as healthy as possible."
The idea of being an "all-rounder", someone who is well balanced and leads a stable life springs to mind.
Having covered the spiritual, emotional and physical sides to this gentle Caymanian, the dialogue moves on to more cerebral matters - to Mr. Jackson's next goal, to be exact, which is to attend the Cayman Islands Law School.
He says that he wants to study law because it can only "enhance" his knowledge in the drug enforcement field. To that end, he plans to continue working as a customs official after he obtains a law degree.
As for managing yet another extra-curricular activity in his hectic day, he says: "I'll have to make some adjustments [regarding my daily routine] but I know that I can cope with it".
Thinking that this interview had reached its natural conclusion, this writer motioned to leave. Mr. Jackson, however, had one more thing to share:
"I believe in setting an example to others, especially young ones. We all have faults within ourselves and I feel that if one falls one should always get back up and not be discouraged. We all have obstacles in our lives and I feel that not every disappointment is a failure. I strongly believe in doing whatever is possible to help the younger generation by setting a good example to them".
Photos by Miguel Escalante