NASSAU, Bahamas – The National Campaign against drug abuse and illicit trafficking will signal to the world The Bahamas’ commitment to mobilising its people, and to take decisive action to control the production, use and trafficking in narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances, Minister of National Security the Hon. Tommy Turnquest said Wednesday.
Minister Turnquest was speaking at the launch of the National Campaign at the Learning Tree, Michael Eldon Complex, College of The Bahamas.
He pointed out that in the once peaceful and safe Bahamas, crime and criminality remains at an unacceptable level and arms’ trafficking is fuelling gun-related crimes, including armed robbery and murder.
“Gang violence is cause for concern, as violence is in our schools. Hardened criminals are intimidating witnesses in cases before our courts, and the inmate population in our prisons continue to be significant,” the Minister said.
Mr. Turnquest said the majority of the population affected by drug use, illicit trafficking and their negative fallouts are the young people, adding also that persons are now being found growing and producing marijuana in the country.
The Government, he said, recognises that the drug problem is a complex one, requiring decisive action in areas including health, the law, economic and social development and law enforcement.
“The Government also understands that action against drug abuse and illicit trafficking must be taken collectively, and on all fronts if it is to succeed,” Minister Turnquest added.
Through the National Campaign, The Bahamas joins the worldwide anti-drug campaign initiated by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) for the years 2007-2009.
Minister of National Security the Hon. Tommy Turnquest launches the national campaign against drugs abuse and the illicit trafficking at the Learning Tree, Michael Eldon Complex, The College of The Bahamas
BIS Photo/Patrick Hanna
Mr. Turnquest said, “We want Bahamians from all walks of life and from throughout The Bahamas to buy into this concept. This would strengthen the hands of our country and community in the fight against illicit drugs.”
He said June 26 is the International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking. The date has been set aside by the United Nations General Assembly for Member States to take action at the national level, in support of the international undertaking that seeks to rid the world of the scourge of drug abuse and illicit trafficking.
The Minister explained that a series of activities have been planned leading up to that day.
On June 26, an exhibition organised by the National Drug Council and The Bahamas Law Enforcement Agencies and a Youth Extravaganza will be held at the Kendal Isaacs Gym.
The Minister urged communities, institutions and organisations in the private and public sectors as well as individuals and families to take part in the activities and to plan their own special events in support of the Campaign and International Day.
He said, “Our National Campaign and the celebration of the International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking should focus clearly on the danger illicit narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances pose to our country, and particularly to our youth.
“Importantly, it should call on us as a nation to action, to work individually and collectively for the elimination of illicit drug production, use and trafficking in our country.”
The Minister said much effort has been and continues to be put into organising the campaign and implementing its programme of activities and the activities of the International Day by the National Anti-Drug Secretariat (NADS), which became operational in the Ministry of National Security in February 2008.
He said NADS has begun to perform one of its primary functions; that of coordinating the work of shareholders concerned with all aspects of drug control, so as to make a collective and balanced contribution to the critical work done in the country to counter drug abuse and illicit drug trafficking.
