BASSETERRE, St. Kitts, June 26, 2010 (Press Release) - Today, 26 June, 2010, the Federation of St. Kitts and Nevis joins with the Member States of the United Nations in commemorating International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Drug Trafficking that is set aside to raise awareness of the major problems that illicit drugs represent to society.
This year’s focus is on health, which is, in all respects, a more viable option as reflected in the theme, “Think Health, Not Drugs.” A theme that is quite fitting to precede the deliberations this year when the leadership of the international community will converge at the United Nations in September to review the achievements of the Millennium Development Goals set one decade ago.
The priority for health can be rationalized against the known deleterious effects associated with illicit drug use and the myriad issues surrounding the negative impact of the drug trade on national development, globally. Issues surrounding the demand and supply of illicit drugs are plaguing the global community and continue to be high on the international agenda. The literature is replete with evidence that there is a direct correlation between drug use and the spread of diseases, including HIV which is the major challenge to the health of the world’s people.
This view was reinforced by the Secretary General of the United Nations, His Excellency Ban Ki-moon in his address to mark today’s occasion. According to the Secretary General:
“Drug abuse poses significant health challenges. Injecting drug use is a leading cause of the spread of HIV. In some parts of the world, heroin use and HIV have reached epidemic proportions. Drug control - including prevention and measures to reduce the harmful effects of drug use - is therefore an important part of the battle to combat HIV/AIDS.”
In certain parts of the world HIV/AIDS has reached to alarming and pandemic proportions and poses a real threat to security. This is of major concern to us even as we are cognizant of the fact that like the HIV/AIDS, illicit drug use, the drug trade and illegal trafficking in firearms have in large measure contributed to the decimation of a substantial segment of the productive sector, as our young men fall prey to these vices. Similar sentiments were echoed by former Secretary General of the United Nations, Dr. Kofi Annan who stated: "Illicit drugs destroy innumerable individual lives and undermine our societies. Confronting the illicit trade in drugs and its effects remains a major challenge for the international community."
Cognizant of the inherent challenges, the Government of St. Kitts and Nevis through the Ministry of National Security and its agencies have committed to the eradication of illegal drugs and illicit firearms that have no place in small, progressive and thriving nation such as ours.
International and hemispheric organizations, such as the United Nations and the Organisation of American States (through the Inter American Drug Abuse Control Commission (CICAD) must be commended for their role in as they work with member states in addressing this scourge. We will therefore continue to collaborate with these entities to strengthen our own mechanisms to eradicate the dependency of our young people, especially, on illicit drugs, in all its forms.
All related agencies in the Federation, must therefore remain vigilant and persist in the fight against the illicit drug use and firearm related crimes that threaten the safety of our communities and our citizens. In recognition of the importance of health as a positive alternative and must continue to create the environment for sustainable development through healthy lifestyles and its attendant positive outcomes as the Security Forces work in tandem with a revived National Drug Council, the Ministries of Health, Education, Youth Empowerment and Sports, Social and Community Services and civil society, as a whole, to fulfil Government’s mandate in promoting safety and security, poverty eradication, education, peace and justice for all.
Government will commit to this global endeavour as we strengthen our resolve to make a difference, through preventative and remedial measures, in the lives of those who are most vulnerable. A drug free day to all!
