Anti-drug crusade

From the look of things, one can say that the war on drugs is on its course.

Just this week, officers of the National Drug Enforcement Agency (NDEA), in collaboration with the military made several arrests in recent times and seized over one tonne of cannabis sativa. The culprits were reportedly arrested in the village of Seewol in the Western Region.

To make this country truly drug-free, all hands must be on deck, and the communities must continue to help the security services in their work in the fight against illicit drugs.

The sad thing about the whole scenario, despite the stiff counter-narcotics laws in place to curb the menace of drugs in this country, it seems some people are still engaged in the nefarious trade of drug trafficking.

Indeed, if we are to go by the recent reports of drug seized by the NDEA there have been an increase in successful interceptions.

This suggests that the illicit drugs market continues to thrive, as we continue to be told by the relevant state authorities of fresh discoveries of huge quantities of drugs in the country.

Drug trafficking has far-reaching effects on any society, from the impact of drug abuse on young people and of drug money, to the presence of gangs and gang-related violence in poor neighbourhoods.

In fact, violent crime, murder and related ills go hand-in-hand with drug abuse and illicit drug trafficking, this, no doubt undermines peace and development.

The trade in illicit drugs has long-term consequences in societies, such as health problems, socio-economic and political instability, going by daily news reports, about crime in some of the states most affected by the illicit drugs business.

It is for this reason that we would like to encourage the NDEA and military to continue the hard work, and not relax in their vigilance.

Our well-being, social cohesion and security should be the objectives which guide their actions in combating the drugs menace.

We do not want to see our society destroyed, as a result of drug trafficking, and we commend the law enforcement agencies for their efforts to stop the trafficking of illicit drugs and related activities in this our small, but beautiful country, which is known for its peace, and where we uphold human morality.

"The key to ending drug trafficking is to wipe out the money side."

Karen Tandy