The move taken by the the National Drug Enforcement Agency, NDEA, to destroy in public illicit drugs seized from persons convicted, and the drugs ordered for destruction by the courts, is a vital development.
Such a move would, no doubt, clear public fears as to what normally happens to the drugs, after the courts have already treated drugs-related cases.
Thus, we want to commend the NDEA for testing the drugs on the spot, the cocaine in particular, before burning it, since it showed that the drugs seized and exhibited in court, the 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.
Indded, it is always good to be tranparent and accountable, and this was what the NDEA manifested on Friday.
The presence of foreign diplomats in the country, who were invited to witness the event, was also good, and showed 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 were destroyed in the bonfire over the weekend, 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, as confirmed by the head of the NDEA during the weekend exercise, there is need for concerted efforts by the law enforcement authorities in the
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.
