Fight against drugs still of great importance

DRUG interdiction is another issue that both the United Kingdom and the Caribbean should continue to focus on.

Speaking with the media recently at a reception at the British High Commissioner’s residence at Ben Mar, Mark Simmonds, Minister for Africa, the Overseas Territories, the Caribbean and International Energy, said that this has always been an area of importance throughout the world as it has a significant impact on the security of any nation.

He stated that, so far, a lot has been done in this area and the United Kingdom will continue to lend assistance to the region in this regard.

“It is a very important and significant issue and there is an enormous amount of positive work that has already been done. The United Kingdom is extremely supportive of the Government here in Barbados and the Eastern Caribbean region as well. There is a lot of co-ordination that exists between the regional governments and the international community.”

However, while progress has been made in this area, countries cannot rest on their laurels, as there is always a lot more that can be done in this regard. As a result, countries need to work on identifying what these areas are and then to find appropriate solutions to resolving these issues, which is one of the areas that he discussed when he met with Prime Minister of Barbados, Freundel Stuart.

“But if you were to ask me if there is more that can be done, then the answer is yes and one of the things that we have been discussing today is what the ‘yes’ could be. How could there be more co-operation and co-ordination? How we can make sure that this part of the Eastern Caribbean is a very difficult place for people in the narcotics industry to operate and that is not just about interdiction.”

The Minister with responsibility for the Caribbean said that this would involve the participation of key stakeholders as well as focusing on putting obstacles in place for those organisations and individuals that are involved in drug trafficking.

“It is about the judicial system, it is about confiscating drug baron assets and it is about changing and modernising legislation in this part of the Caribbean to make sure that the legislation in place deals with the threats and the problems that the communities of today face,” he stated. (PJT)