The Minister of Interior has warned criminal groups that The Gambia will remain a hostile ground for drug trafficking while he called for national support to the law enforcement in carrying out their job.
Yankuba J.N. Sonko was speaking recently as the country observed International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Drug Trafficking.
“The day is marked to advocate actions and strengthen cooperation in achieving the goals of a world-free drug abuse. The aim is to mobilize public support in the fight against drug abuse and illicit drug trafficking. Awareness raising programmes are thus the means undertaken by anti-narcotic agencies, civil society organizations and individuals all over the globe to curb major problems that illicit drugs present to societies, and remind people of the negative effects of drugs on nations,” he stated.
He stated that the occasion provides an opportunity to spread the message about the diverse cultural and economic implications from the trade in drugs; one hundred years after the war on drugs initiated in Shanghai.
The theme for this year’s commemoration ‘Share Facts on Drugs, Save Lives’, was described by the Honourable Minister as appropriate, making reference to the growing trends in sharing misleading information intended to misinform the youth on the destruction of drugs. He warned that misinformation is dangerous and therefore calls on all Gambians and partners to share facts on drugs to help save lives.
“This theme aims at curbing misinformation and promoting the sharing of facts around abusive drugs; their health risks and solutions to tackle world drug problem to evidence –based prevention, treatment and care,” he said
He pointed out that the January 2021 seizure of close to 3 tons of cocaine at the seaport amplifies the message to organised criminal groups that The Gambia is and will remain a hostile ground for drug trafficking. “We need to mobilise as a nation to support the law enforcement in carrying out their job.”
He noted that verifiable evidence indicates that The Gambia is highly stable in terms of drug trafficking, “the government therefore assures all Gambians and partners that this country is far from being a narcotic state.”
The Honourable Minister added that the World Drug Day is a day to share research findings, evidence based data and life-saving facts, to continue tapping into a shared spirit of solidarity. Thus, the campaign invites everyone to do their part in taking firm stance against misinformation and unreliable sources while committing to share only the real science –backed data on drugs and save lives.