By Buba Gagigo
Marking the International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Drug Trafficking, also known as World Drug Day, the Minister of Defence, Sering Modou Njie, standing in for the Minister of Interior, appealed to civil society organizations, community-based organizations, youth groups, and all relevant stakeholders to augment government initiatives and participate in drug prevention programs and activities.
The minister made these remarks on June 26, 2024, coinciding with the International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Drug Trafficking, also known as World Drug Day.
On this day, anti-narcotic institutions and their partners in the fight against drugs reflect on their achievements, highlight challenges, educate and raise awareness about the dangers of drug trafficking and abuse, and encourage public support, cooperation, and participation in the ongoing battle against drugs and related activities.
“Under the able leadership of His Excellency President Adama Barrow, my Ministry will continue to support and promote initiatives aimed at promoting evidence-based prevention and treatment programs and activities. We call on civil society organizations, community-based organizations, youth groups, and all relevant stakeholders to complement government efforts and participate in drug prevention programs and activities,” the Defence Minister said on behalf of the Interior Minister.
This year’s theme, “The Evidence is Clear: Invest in Prevention,” highlights the necessity of adopting a scientific, evidence-based approach that prioritizes prevention, treatment and care, harm reduction, and alternative livelihood programs to address the global drug issue.
“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,” he said.
The Minister underscored the need to strengthen drug supply suppression regimes and integrate person-centered drug demand reduction initiatives. These initiatives include preventing drug abuse, providing treatment for Substance Use Disorders (SUD), offering aftercare services, and developing alternative livelihood programs to reduce drug trafficking and abuse effectively.
“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,” he said.
The Minister emphasized that over the years, the Gambia, through the Drug Law Enforcement Agency (DLEAG), and relevant stakeholders have been proactively implementing drug demand reduction programs and activities. These include weekly radio talk shows, school sensitization programs, community outreach initiatives, and capacity-building training to enhance the capacity of youth, Civil Society Organizations, and Community-based Organizations engaged in preventive drug demand reduction programs and activities.
“Similarly, DLEAG has been launching Drug-Free Clubs (DFCs) in several schools across the country, just to name a few,” he said.