Island Overview

The Island of St. Croix is a territory owned by the U. S. and is celebrating it's 100th year in August. The island has been owned by 7 different nations (Spanish, Dutch & English, the French, Nights of Malta, & Denmark) since its discovery by Columbus in 1493. Crucians do not have voting rights or pay federal taxes but have the benefits of social security, and other U.S. federal aid. 

Moravian missionaries came to the island at the same times slaves were brought to work the sugar cane plantations around 1750.

Crucians speak english and drive on the left side of the road.

St. Croix expérienced a major decline in economy when the oil refinery was shut down in 2012. Their only export is Rum made from sugar cane. 

The crime rate in St. Croix is in the upper 30% in the U.S. for intentional homicide (mostly gang related), domestic violence, and sexual assault. 

In 2014,  the Virgin Islands were awarded a $900,000 grant for substance abuse/ HIV prevention efforts. With the Virgin Islands being ranked number two in the nation based on rate per capita for reported HIV cases, a major component of the program is targeted at reducing HIV-related risk factors such as substance abuse – primarily alcohol and marijuana – among college students and young adults in the community.

Alcohol is cheaper than some energy drinks here and the most abused substance along with marijuana.

Only 30% of the population lives in married families (husband & wife present), while 23% of the population live in single parent homes.