New drug master plan being drafted – Rohee

Home Affairs Minister Clement Rohee on Monday announced that his ministry is currently working to draft a new Drug Strategy Master Plan that would be used to guide the country’s current and future anti-narcotics activities.

Rohee was at the time addressing the opening of a U.S.-sponsored workshop for local drug enforcement agents. Guyana last unveiled a drug master plan in 2005. That plan expired since 2009. The Gy$ 650 million plan had comprised extensive measures to eliminate the scourge of narco-trafficking and its spin-off effects.
Since December 2010, Rohee has spoken of the crafting of a new plan. He also decried then the level of assistance given to Guyana by the international community to fight drug trafficking.
Meanwhile, Rohee said the government of Guyana fully supports the spirit of international cooperation, which has been further strengthened between the U. S and Guyana through the Caribbean Basin Security Initiative (CBSI). “This collaborative effort, through the CBSI, has seen many steps being taken by our two countries to build the capacity of the principal law enforcement agencies in Guyana and to launch a programme aimed at addressing problems related to youth at risk.”
This, he said, is an indication that a holistic view is being taken of the issue of public security in Guyana by the two countries. “The international drug trade is posing a threat to the stability of many countries of the world and the welfare of their citizens. The tentacles of the drug trade are long and far-reaching. It is an undisputed fact that because of the way the drug trade is organised, no single country could successfully suppress it single-handedly. It is, therefore, incumbent upon all countries of the world to work together to combat illegal drugs.”
Guyana has recognised that it is important to work with our neighbours, members of Caricom, and other countries of the hemisphere, to facilitate a coordinated approach to suppress the illegal narcotics trade.
Rohee said a critical issue in Guyana’s strategy to fight the drug trade is the need for capacity building of law enforcement agencies. “If we are to be successful in our quest to reduce drug smuggling and consumption, our law enforcement agencies must have the capacity to conduct good investigations.
“I am thus pleased to know that this training course, which involves members of the Guyana Police Force and CANU, includes subject areas such as narcotics investigations, legal updates and case development. All three of those topics are vital to the successful prosecution of persons who are charged with narcotics related offences,” the home affairs minister added.