(CARICOM Secretariat, Turkeyen, Greater Georgetown, Guyana) June 26 is International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking, and CARICOM Member States are embarking on a series of activities to mark the day.
The CARICOM Secretariat in collaboration with the Directors of National Councils on Drug Abuse is leading the way with the development of activities to sensitise the public – specifically women – about the negative ripple effects of drug trafficking.
One of the primary tools to be rolled out on June 26 is a 40-sec Public Service Advertisement titled, Does Drug Control Your Space? Through this PSA, the Secretariat has used CARICOM drug free youth to appeal to their peers to avoid using and pushing drugs. The PSAs will be disseminated region-wide through the Government Information Services and are expected to run beyond International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking.
In addition to the PSA, the Secretariat plans to launch at a later date its major campaign tool, an animated DVD titled Eva Goes to Foreign. Through a series of illustrations, The DVD recounts the story of a female who in ignorance is lured into making that one ‘trip,’ which would provide her with the financial resources to take care of her family. Ironically, the one trip lands her in an overseas prison.
The aim of this campaign is to use Eva’s story to highlight the social ‘push factors’ to drug trafficking – chief of which is the individual’s basic need to provide, food shelter and other social amenities for herself and family – and to illustrate the social consequences of drug trafficking.
The story of Eva also exposes the lack of information and education on the health risks of swallowing drug pellets, the criminal justice consequences of drug trafficking and the predatory nature of those who recruit women as ‘mules.’
The DVD was successfully used as part of a sensitization campaign in Jamaica and Trinidad and Tobago and will now be used in other Member States to raise awareness on drug abuse and trafficking.
A regional workshop on Minimising the Social and Health Consequences of Substance Abuse is also another initiative organised in Jamaica ahead of International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking.
The workshop on 24-25 June focused specifically on providing social care and counselling programmes such as street-based programmes and low threshold drop-in-centres for substance abusers and their relatives who may need counselling.
Saint Lucia was also a buzz of activity leading up to June 26. The Substance Abuse Advisory Council Secretariat in tandem with Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) conducted national drug abuse prevention essay and jingle competitions for schools, drug free clubs, community and other interest groups.
A two-day National Exhibition took place at the Castries Town Hall on 24-25 June and on 26 June uniformed groups will participate in a National Anti-Drug March at 9 a.m. from the Ministry of Health to the Derek Walcott Square. The March will culminate with a National Anti-Drug Rally at the Square. This rally provides a platform for local religious, educational and cultural performances, testimonials, presentation of prizes for the essay and jingle competitions and recognition awards for outstanding contributions towards drug abuse prevention programmes.
Trinidad and Tobago will undertake three major activities which include a formal ceremony in recognition of the day and an information and education fair at Eddie Hart Grounds, Tacarigua, which includes display booths, performances by various artistes, sport and novelty fun items.
Drug abuse and illicit trafficking poses a serious threat to regional development as it eats away at human capital and breaks down families. Of the more than 11,000 foreign males in UK prisons, approximately 35 per cent are on drug related charges, while 10 per cent are from the Caribbean region. Of the 1000 foreign females in UK prisons, nearly 70 per cent are on drug related charges and 35 per cent are from the Caribbean Region.
Within the Caribbean, between 2007 and the first quarter of 2009, United States Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) reports seizure of more than 148, 000 kg of marijuana; 25,843.12 kg of cocaine and 227.62kg of heroin. Nine hundred and fifty-seven arrests have been recorded.
Despite the plethora of initiatives implemented to stem the illegal flow of drugs through the Caribbean – a vulnerable transshipment point sandwiched between the largest producers of cocaine to the South and the largest consumer country to the North – the drug trade seemingly continues to flourish. The United Nations 2007 World Drug Report puts the value of the illegal drug trade at US$322 billion a year.
The International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking was established by the United Nations General Assembly in 1987 as an expression of its determination to strengthen action and cooperation to achieve the goal of an international society free of drug abuse. The day has been observed annually since 1988 on 26 June to raise awareness to the devastating social impacts of drug abuse and illicit trafficking. The designated theme for the year is Your life; Your Community: No place for drugs.
