A collective approach to fighting drugs

TIMES INT'L

Dear Editor,
It is very encouraging to note that the governments of Guyana and United States just signed two agreements seeking to advance the local and regional security sectors in the area of trafficking of drugs.  This signing is really in tandem with the United Nations policy in this aspect of crime fighting.
It goes back to 2000 when countries agreed to cooperate with one another in every aspect of the fight against corruption, including prevention, investigation and the prosecution of offenders. Countries are now bound to render specific forms of mutual assistance in gathering and transferring evidence for use in court to extradite offenders.
Countries are also required to undertake measures that will support the tracing, freezing, seizure and confiscation of the proceeds of corruption.
With this history and pact in mind, it is not surprising that the Caribbean Basin Security Initiative (CBSI) is continuing to buttress efforts against illegal drugs, now providing US$860,000 (G$172 million) in security sector assistance.
The CBSI’s partnership is aimed at developing a better response at all levels – security, law enforcement and in society – where the safety of citizens is concerned. To date, CBSI funding, allocated to the U.S. partnership with Guyana has reached US$1.5 million.
A recent research work done in Uruguay concludes that drug trafficking corrupts from the top down, never from the bottom up, both in terms of within a country and outside of it. It then penetrates the social fabric from the bottom after corrupting institutions from the top.
Many small fishes of various types are making big profits at the bottom end. The bottom-up strategy must not be lost in the big frame. There are many known peddlers and it is time for some little busts to take place.  Every link in the drugs/narcotics trade must be dealt with.
Yours truly,
Audrey Sinclair

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