DRUG TRAFFICKING AND ABUSE ENDANGERS HEALTH AND SECURITY
DRUG TRAFFICKING AND ABUSE ENDANGERS HEALTH AND SECURITY June 27, 2011
BY PETER ATOGEWE WEDAM
ISD – BOLGATANGA MUNICIPAL
The UN Secretary General, Mr. Ban Ki Moon has observed that drug trafficking which was largely viewed as a social and criminal problem, has transformed in recent times into a major threat to health and security in countries and the world as whole. The UN Boss made this observation in a keynote address read for him at Bolgatanga in the Upper East region to mark the 2011 “International Day against Drug abuse and illicit trafficking”.
In the address read by the National Director of Social Welfare, Mr. Stephen T. Adongo, Mr. Moon further observed that in West Africa, the about 85 billion Dollars global cocaine trade is exacerbating addiction and money-laundering while fuelling political instability and threats to security. He subsequently established a task force to develop a UN system-wide strategy to coordinate and strengthen the UN’s responses to illicit drugs and organised crime.
The Secretary General said the 2011 observance of the International Day against Drug abuse and illicit trafficking must be used as an opportunity to highlight the importance of addressing the twin threats of drug abuse and illicit trafficking through the rule of law and the provision of health services.
“These measures are critical, because drug abuse, at its core, is a health issue. Drug dependence is a disease, not a crime. The real criminals are the drug traffickers”, he emphasised. He noted that until efforts are made to reduce demand for illicit drugs, their cultivation, production and trafficking can never be tackled fully.
According to Ban Ki Moon, governments have a responsibility to counteract both drug trafficking and drug abuse adding that, families, schools, civil society and religious organisations can do their part to rid their communities of drugs.
The Ghanaian Interior minister, Mr. Benjamin Kunbuor whose speech was read on his behalf disclosed that since 1987, the international community set aside the International Day against Drug abuse and illicit trafficking to create awareness and also foster public support for the actions of governments and non-governmental organisations aimed at tackling the drug menace.
Mr. Kunbuor noted that this year’s theme – “Think Health Not Drug” was the same theme given to the event in 2010 thus showing the importance the United Nations attaches to good health. He said the socio-economic effects of drug abuse are enormous stressing that government is more determined now than before to put drug traffickers out of business and also reduce drug related crimes such as armed robbery and money laundering.
He revealed that PNDC Law 236 which established the Narcotics Control Board, [NACOB] has been critically studied pending a new legislative framework which will turn NACOB into an independent commission to implement tougher laws on narcotics.
A Zonal Officer of NACOB, Mr. George Afful noted that drug abuse brings about personal tragedies, severe damage to health and destruction democratic societies. He added that, drug abuse increases the level of all types of induced organised crimes and undermines democratic structures.
Before the launching of the event, school children matched through principal streets of Bolgatanga with placards with inscriptions: Drug addiction is a disease, it can be treated; We stand united against illicit drugs and With drugs, nobody is safe.
The Narcotics Control Board organised the event under the auspices of the United Nations. Social Welfare staff, staff of the Ghana Health Service and some security personnel attended the function.
BY PETER ATOGEWE WEDAM
ISD – BOLGATANGA MUNICIPAL
The UN Secretary General, Mr. Ban Ki Moon has observed that drug trafficking which was largely viewed as a social and criminal problem, has transformed in recent times into a major threat to health and security in countries and the world as whole. The UN Boss made this observation in a keynote address read for him at Bolgatanga in the Upper East region to mark the 2011 “International Day against Drug abuse and illicit trafficking”.
In the address read by the National Director of Social Welfare, Mr. Stephen T. Adongo, Mr. Moon further observed that in West Africa, the about 85 billion Dollars global cocaine trade is exacerbating addiction and money-laundering while fuelling political instability and threats to security. He subsequently established a task force to develop a UN system-wide strategy to coordinate and strengthen the UN’s responses to illicit drugs and organised crime.
The Secretary General said the 2011 observance of the International Day against Drug abuse and illicit trafficking must be used as an opportunity to highlight the importance of addressing the twin threats of drug abuse and illicit trafficking through the rule of law and the provision of health services.
“These measures are critical, because drug abuse, at its core, is a health issue. Drug dependence is a disease, not a crime. The real criminals are the drug traffickers”, he emphasised. He noted that until efforts are made to reduce demand for illicit drugs, their cultivation, production and trafficking can never be tackled fully.
According to Ban Ki Moon, governments have a responsibility to counteract both drug trafficking and drug abuse adding that, families, schools, civil society and religious organisations can do their part to rid their communities of drugs.
The Ghanaian Interior minister, Mr. Benjamin Kunbuor whose speech was read on his behalf disclosed that since 1987, the international community set aside the International Day against Drug abuse and illicit trafficking to create awareness and also foster public support for the actions of governments and non-governmental organisations aimed at tackling the drug menace.
Mr. Kunbuor noted that this year’s theme – “Think Health Not Drug” was the same theme given to the event in 2010 thus showing the importance the United Nations attaches to good health. He said the socio-economic effects of drug abuse are enormous stressing that government is more determined now than before to put drug traffickers out of business and also reduce drug related crimes such as armed robbery and money laundering.
He revealed that PNDC Law 236 which established the Narcotics Control Board, [NACOB] has been critically studied pending a new legislative framework which will turn NACOB into an independent commission to implement tougher laws on narcotics.
A Zonal Officer of NACOB, Mr. George Afful noted that drug abuse brings about personal tragedies, severe damage to health and destruction democratic societies. He added that, drug abuse increases the level of all types of induced organised crimes and undermines democratic structures.
Before the launching of the event, school children matched through principal streets of Bolgatanga with placards with inscriptions: Drug addiction is a disease, it can be treated; We stand united against illicit drugs and With drugs, nobody is safe.
The Narcotics Control Board organised the event under the auspices of the United Nations. Social Welfare staff, staff of the Ghana Health Service and some security personnel attended the function.
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