NASSAU, The Bahamas — National Security and law enforcement officials Thursday launched a five-year National Anti-Drug Strategy that officials say should have a far-reaching impact on crime – particularly violent crime and transnational crimes such as drug trafficking – throughout the country.
Minister of National Security, the Hon. O.A.T. “Tommy” Turnquest said the Strategy is the product of an “extensive series of consultations” with professionals in relevant Ministries/Agencies of Government and Non-Government Organisations in areas including law enforcement, criminal justice, education, social development, and treatment and rehabilitation.
The Strategy, he said, is a blueprint for “a national consensus that sends a strong message that we will not permit drug abuse and illicit trafficking to endanger the present, nor jeopardise the future of our country.”
The National Anti-Drug Strategy, 2012-2016, is the framework in which action will be taken over the next five years to counter the illicit production, trafficking and abuse of narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances. Its principal focus is on “building collaborative partnerships to curb demand, reduce supply, disrupt trafficking networks, and promote healthy drug-free lifestyles, especially among youth”.
“The number of illegal activities increasingly being associated with the drug problem are well known,” Mr. Turnquest said. “They include illegal immigration, migrant smuggling and the trafficking in illegal firearms. The trafficking of illegal guns is particularly egregious, because of the crime and violence they engender in the country.
“I want to emphasise here that countering drug trafficking and drug abuse is an integral part of the Government’s stepped up wider crime strategies. The objectives of our crime strategies are to stop violent crime, especially murder, that a small group of wrongdoers are inflicting on our country, and bring them to justice,” Mr. Turnquest added.
Mr. Turnquest said the Government of The Bahamas intends to “invest significantly” in the success of this Strategy, and to do so in a balanced way.
Under the Strategy, law enforcement agencies will continue to be given the equipment, assets and personnel needed to “vigorously counter” drug and related crime (while) appropriate resources will also be provided to the judiciary (and) laws constantly reviewed, updated and “strictly enforced.”
The Government of The Bahamas will also fund academic and specialist training for professionals in various areas of drug control, including treatment and rehabilitation; research, – in which institutions such as the College of The Bahamas will be expected to become actively involved – capacity building, and the upgrading of treatment and rehabilitation facilities.
Grants will also be awarded “as a matter of policy” to NGOs for the implementation of agreed, targeted, results-oriented projects and work in drug control, and other support will be provided to them.
“This Strategy is focused on the broader picture, and investments will be made taking into account the multifaceted nature of the drug problem and the need to take a balanced approach in this area. Particular focus will be given to the need to protect our young people from the vagaries of drug abuse and illicit trafficking. Targeted investments will support youth in areas including education, youth development, youth employment, health and social services,” he added.
The National Security Minister said a “practical institutional framework” has been developed that ensures that all partners play their necessary part in ensuring the success of the Strategy.
He said Government leadership, at the highest political level, will be given in areas that demand political consensus. A Ministerial Committee comprising Ministers with responsibilities in core areas of drug control will have oversight of the Strategy.
New “institutional arrangements” have also been put in place, and include an Inter-Ministry Group on Drug Control, a Drug Policy Advisory Committee and a Heads of National Security Agencies, which will advise the Ministerial Committee.
The Ministry of National Security’s National Anti-Drug Secretariat (NADS) has been given an important role to play in the implementation of the Strategy and will be allocated the resources required to ensure that it can effectively carry out its responsibilities.
“The Strategy is comprehensive and coherent; it is balanced; it is realistic; and it is implementable. It has been systematically formulated to translate the courses of action it sets out into substantial results. It gives priority to building the strong partnerships and structures essential for these purposes,” Mr. Turnquest added.
By Matt Maura
Bahamas Information Services
