Clearing public fears about seized drugs

The National Drug Enforcement Agency, NDEA, is set to embark on yet another public destruction of illicit drugs seized from persons convicted, and the drugs ordered for destruction by the courts.

To us this is a vital development and a step in the right direction.

A lot of drugs have been seized from people, according to the NDEA, and many are eager to know what happens to these drugs.

A bonfire in a public place, witnessed by many responsible persons, is a good move and would, no doubt, put to rest public fears as to what normally happens to the drugs seized, after the courts have treated drugs-related cases.

We urgethe NDEA to test the drugs on the spot, the cocaine in particular, before burning it, since it will show that the drugs seized and exhibited in court, and subsequently ordered for destruction, were the real drugs destroyed and not substituted with a similar fake substance.

This kind of initiative would definitely increase public confidence in the work of the NDEA.

Indeed, it is always good to be transparent and accountable, and this is what the NDEA seeks to manifest tomorrow.

The presence of foreign diplomats in the country, to witness the event, will also be a good move, and will show the whole world that this country is truly committed to its fight against illicit drugs.

It is well known that hard drugs like cocaine and a drug like cannabis, which will be destroyed in the bonfire this week, as reported in one of our stories in this issue, could cause serious negative effects on the health of our youth.

Now, considering the fact that cannabis, for instance, is known to be grown in large quantities in the country and Casamance, there is need for concerted efforts by the law enforcement authorities in the Senegambia area to address the situation.

We have been saying in this and many other columns that drugs are bad, and can destroy our societies.

Therefore, fighting illicit drug possession, their use and trafficking becomes everybody’s business, and must not be left only in the hands of the NDEA.