By: Nyima Sillah
The lawmaker for Janjanbureh Omar Jammehhas urged the National Assembly to amend Section 43 of the Drugs Act to effectively deal with all classes of hallucinogenic drugs such as Kush.
The Janjanbureh NAM said Section 43 of the amended 2003 Drugs Act does not provide for the prosecution of offenses related to Kush.
Jammeh, who is a member of the Assembly’s youth committee, told The Voice in an exclusive interview that Kush has not been listed among the list of prohibited drugs that can be prosecuted under the Act.
“There should be a tabling of a private member bill or the State should come up with an amendment bill to amend part of Section 43 and come up with a provision that can cater for Kush and other drugs that are not catered for by the Act,” NAM Jammeh suggested followingreported Kush-related deaths in the country.
The Janjanbureh NAM said Kush is ruining society, saying the death of youth as a result of its use is shocking.
“I have been following a few cases around the substance when the news broke. When I saw the police report of the death of young people, who consumed Kush, I critically looked at what the security agencies, especially the Drug Control Agency of The Gambia (DLEAG), can do tocombat “Kush” use. Not only combating but making sure that people, who are trafficking this particular substance or any other drug in this country, are apprehended and prosecuted. However, when I looked at the security apparatus, I understood that there is no particular piece of legislation that they can rely on to prosecute some of those trafficking, selling, or consuming Kush,” he explained.
“There should still be room for amending the Drug Act to combat this serious issue in our society,” NAM Jammeh stated.