By Alhagie Babou Jallow
Officials of the Combat Drugs Africa Gambia Chapter recently paid a courtesy call on the Nigerian High Commissioner, and the Guinea Bissau Consul General.
The purpose of the visit was to engage the missions and identify with them ways and means of combating drugs, such as the prevalent ‘Kush’ in Africa.
It is believed that traffickers pass through borders within these countries; thus the need to involve authorities, and to join hands in combating drugs, and end the trafficking. ‘Kush’ is now widespread in the region and many youths are involved in the usage.
The discussion touched on drug trafficking within the borders, the high crime rates, among others.
Many youths nowadays are psychologically affected, committing crimes such as burglary, robbery, and killing, after using Kush, rendering society unsafe from those heinous crimes.
The Director of Combating Drugs in Africa Gambia chapter Mr Lamin Janneh called for concerted effort to ensure people are aware of the danger of drugs.
He said that the drug law enforcement agency in collaboration with the Gambia Police Force are doing a great work in raiding and arresting young people in the act.
“A total of 23 young people were arrested with drugs including Kush: 20 Gambians, 10 Sierra Leoneans, Guinean and Bissau Guinean nationals at different locations and this is alarming to all of us. There are a lot of crimes, killings and so many criminal activities in our region and we need swift action to end it,” he noted.
Mr Sulayman Suma,Vice President and the Secretary General of Combating Drugs in Africa reiterated their commitment to combating drug trafficking in Africa, noting that youths are the future and workforce of any nation.
Suma also observed that lately a lot of drug-related crimes are being committed mostly by youths thereby becoming a threat to our society.
The diplomats expressed willingness to support organisations to fight against drug trafficking.
