New Anti-Drug Plan should be ‘more comprehensive’ says National Security PS

NASSAU, The Bahamas --- The Bahamas’ next National Anti-Drug Plan should be “more comprehensive and balanced, dealing constructively” with supply, demand and trafficking in a way in which these elements affect and impact the country, National Security Permanent Secretary, Mrs Missouri Sherman-Peter said Monday.

This should be accomplished in respect to law enforcement, public health, law and criminal justice, and social and economic development, she said.

Addressing the Opening Session of the Training Workshop for The Bahamas National Anti-Drug Plan 2010-2014, Mrs Sherman-Peter said it should further take into account the criminality and violence engendered by drug trafficking, including arms trafficking.

It should also focus on effective law enforcement action on land and sea, to disrupt transnational criminal networks everywhere.

The Workshop is being held over three days and is being facilitated by Inter-American Drug Abuse Control Commission (CICAD) and The Bahamas’ National Anti-Drug Secretariat (NADS).

CICAD was established in 1986 by the General Assembly of the Organization of American States (OAS) as the Western Hemisphere’s policy forum on all aspects of the illicit drug problem.

It promotes regional coordination and cooperation among the 34 OAS Member-States through action programs.

“The illicit drug phenomenon is destructive, complex and challenging,” Mrs. Sherman-Peter said.

“It is driven primarily by ruthless drug trafficking networks consumed by greed and unmoved by the deadly consequences that their illicit business inflict on people, communities and on developed and developing countries alike.

“The illicit drug phenomenon is multifaceted in nature and that successful counter measures require action on multiple fronts, by multiple stakeholders.”

Mrs Sherman-Peter said the structuring of national drug control initiatives into comprehensive National Anti-Drug Plans will allow The Bahamas, and regional countries to provide “well-established” responses to the challenges they face with regards to illicit drug trafficking.

An effective National Drug-Plan should incorporate the full range of initiatives and activities countries are taking, or must take, to “resolutely confront the illicit drug trade,” she added.

The new National Anti-Drug Plan, which will outline the country’s national drug control strategies, policies and program for 2010-2014 and which replaces the first plan which ends this year, should also enhance the country’s capacity to meet its international obligations in drug control, Mrs Sherman-Peter said.

It should also create a space for public dialogue and action in addressing the challenges of abuse and illicit trafficking at the national level, she added.

“Drug control is serious work and the National Anti-Drug Plan we develop must provide the framework in which we continue to do this serious work,” Mrs Sherman-Peter said. “It should be concise, but cogent and clear.

“The National Anti-Drug Plan should be realistic and practical and its courses of action implemented immediately (once) it is considered and adopted by Government. It should also take into account the issue of resources, particularly in the current financial environment.

“It would be expedient, in that regard, to identify cooperative partnerships, including private/public partnerships, bilateral partnerships and cooperation with regional, hemispheric and international organizations that might make it possible to implement the courses of action in a mutually beneficial, cost-effective way.”