The Office of the Attorney General today joins the world in celebrating International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking.
This year???s theme: A Message of Hope: Drug Use Disorders are Preventable and Treatable???, is a reminder not only of the negative impacts derived from the trade in illicit drugs in our communities and society as a whole, but also of our ability to combat the hazards of this phenomenon.
Drug trafficking represents one of the greatest menaces to the social and economic stability of our region and requires our fullest commitment to increased vigilance and the implementation of tangible and effective measures aimed at counteracting this threat. Our efforts must centre on preventing the trade as well as be holistic in the treatment and remediation of those who have fallen victim to this scourge.
Drug abuse is responsible for a significant proportion of the dysfunction seen in households in Barbados today. The Office of the Attorney General is committed to supporting programmes that treat and restore individuals and families that are impacted by drug abuse.
We will continue to work with the Ministry of Social Care, Constituency Empowerment and Community Development in seeking to eradicate the factors that predispose many of our people to falling victim to drug use disorders. We will also work closely with the Ministry of Health in finding new and effective ways of treating those affected in this manner.
Policy-wise, the Office of the Attorney General will continue to formulate and implement targeted programmes and enact appropriate legislation to deal with the trade of illicit drugs. We will also strive to ensure that our technical officials benefit from training in new methodologies and approaches that will enable them to be of maximum support to our partners in this fight locally, regionally and internationally.
Importantly, we will continue our close working relationship with the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, and with the regional security framework in their efforts to confront illicit drug trafficking. The Government of Barbados is resolute in its determination to participate meaningfully in this fight and will do all that is possible to prevent and treat drug use disorders.??