AG warns drug smuggling a trigger for other issues

THE country is vulnerable to international drug smuggling activities that can facilitate other transnational illegal activities, says Minister for Justice and Attorney-General Davis Steven.
“Given globalisation, our country and its citizens are faced with the risk of drug smuggling activities of various types that can entail related transnational criminal activities,” he said.
“The use of drugs and its effects have increased significantly in the last five years, according to reports released by the departments of Education, Community Development and Health. This affects the nation’s aspirations to attain its required Human Development Index target which contributes significantly towards sustainable socio-economic development.”
Steven yesterday presented in Parliament a ministerial statement on the re-establishment of the National Narcotics Control Board.
“Drugs and substance abuse, particularly marijuana and homebrew consumption, have devastated
the lives of our youths and contributed to the law and order issues,” he said.
He said “youths” were those between 17 and 30.
The National Narcotic Bureau was transferred to his department in May 2016 from the prime minister’s department which it was under since 1992.
“Under my Department, the bureau was able to get recognition from development partners and donors which included the funding of some of its planned activities such as a stakeholder workshop in 2017, and awareness in schools in Central and the National Capital District this year.”