This was relayed through Defence Minister Sering Modou Njie, who read the statement in a televised appearance on the eve of The World Drug Day (International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Drug Trafficking) 2024.
The day marks a period when anti-Narcotic institutions and stakeholders reflect on achievements attained made over the years, highlight challenges as well as heighten public education and sensitisation on the perils of illicit drug abuse and trafficking. This day is equally used to garner public support, cooperation and participation in the crusade against drugs and related activities.
Coming into being on the 7th of December 1987 following the passage of resolution 42/112 by the UN General Assembly, the day marks as an expression of the international community's determination and commitment to strengthening actions and cooperation against all forms of drug abuse, illicit drug trafficking and related transnational organised crime.
According to the minister, this year’s theme – The Evidence is Clear: Invest in Prevention – stresses the “importance of adopting a scientific evidence-based approach that prioritises prevention, treatment and care, harm reduction, and alternative livelihood programs in solving the world drug problem”.
He added: “As such, we must intensify efforts aimed at strengthening our supply suppression regimes, we must also integrate and prioritize person-centered drug demand reduction initiatives aimed at preventing the onset of drug abuse, providing treatment for Substance Use Disorders (SUD), aftercare treatment related services and alternative livelihood programs that will effectively respond to the drug problem and efficiently abate prevalence of the dealing, trafficking and abuse of drugs.
“While we remain committed to promoting this year’s theme, we are equally determined to ensure that we dismantle any organised criminal network that may emerge in our jurisdiction. We will deal with any such group without compromise to safeguard our society, especially the youth from misery and the sufferings caused by the use of illicit drugs.”
The interior Minister noted in the statement that through the Drug Law Enforcement Agency (DLEAG) and relevant stakeholders, The Gambia has over the years been proactively implementing drug demand reduction programs.
According to him, they have also carried out activities such as weekly radio talk shows, school sensitisation programs, community outreach initiatives, and capacity-building training to boost the capacity of youth, civil society organisations and community-based organisations engaged in preventive drug demand reduction programs and activities.
He also highlighted that the DLEAG has been launching Drug-Free Clubs (DFCs) in several schools across the country.
He added: “Regarding treatment and care, the Agency with funding support from the United States Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs (INL) collaborated with the Colombo Plan Drug Advisory program (DAP) in organising a yearlong training on the Universal Treatment Curriculum (UTC) also known as International Standards in Drug Treatment for relevant stakeholders such as the DLEAG, The Ministry of Health – Psychiatric nurses, Department of Social Welfare, CSO’s, JAIDTOC, religious leaders and two reformed drug addicts.
“DLEAG in 2019 secured funding from the ECOWAS Commission Drug Unit for the establishment of a specialised drug treatment facility in the country, this was delayed because of COVID-19. However, it is in progress.”
The interior supremo also underscored the sharp rise in drug usage and 11 percent projected rise by 2030, as indicated by the 2023 World Drug Report, saying: “Today, The Gambia and other neighboring countries are witnessing increasing seizures of cocaine in transit, controlled drugs like methamphetamine, tramadol and varying strains of cannabis like ‘kush’ and skunk cannabis respectively. This shows the changing trend of the abuse, dealing, and trafficking of illicit drugs which have serious consequences on the health and well-being of our people.”
Wrapping up, he reassured that the government would support and promote initiatives aimed at promoting evidence-based prevention and treatment programs and activities. Also, he extended a call to all relevant stakeholders to complement the government in containing the menace of drugs, while at the same time urged the public to be vigilant and report suspicious drug-related or criminal activities to law enforcement officers.
