Africa-Press – Botswana. It is government’s major resolve to combine resources and engage all stakeholders to disrupt the capacity of running drug businesses in Botswana.
This was said by Minister for State President, Mr Moeti Mohwasa in his welcome remarks at the African Union Global Coalition Continental Consultation on Synthetic Drug Supply
Reduction in Gaborone yesterday. He said government had recently passed a legislation to amend the Illicit Traffic in Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act, which stood for the functions of the Drug Enforcement Agency to enable them to cope with the present and future challenges in fighting drug violence.
Mr Mohwasa further said Botswana, through the Botswana Drug Enforcement Agency was honoured to host the consultation in partnership with the African Union Commission, which had drawn delegates from 40 African countries to share ideas and experiences on how best to curb illicit synthetic drug trade.
He, therefore, encouraged the delegates to close the growing gaps in the drug markets and drug use, including coming up with recommendations that could assist the continent to mitigate the worsening challenge of illicit synthetic drugs trade.
The minister expressed delight that the consultation presented a crucial step toward developing a coordinated continental framework to reduce the supply of synthetic drugs, disrupting criminal networks and saving the future of Youth.
He also said the high-level three-day meeting, themed: Strengthening Efforts Towards Addressing Drug Trafficking and Advancing Crime Prevention, Justice, Criminal Justice and Rule of Law in Africa was both urgent and timely.
“As synthetic drugs become more cheaper, more patented and more easily trafficked through our borders, Africa must act collectively. Your presence here, today, reflects a commitment in strengthening our commitment to ensuring that the fight against this scourge is shared.
Our international response can help in collaboration and intelligence sharing, capacity building and innovative policy solutions,” he said.
The event brought together policy makers, law-enforcement agencies, public health experts and regional partners to develop a coordinated African response to the growing threat of synthetic drugs.
The outcomes of the consultation are expected to feed into the Global Coalition of Synthetic Drugs, ensuring that Africa’s voice and priorities are effectively represented in shaping global strategies.
Minister Mohwasa also expressed hope that the outcomes of the meeting could also chart a clear path toward strengthened cooperation, law enforcement capabilities and evidence-based policy development.
“Together, we can strengthen the synthetic drug supply reduction efforts, through stronger partnerships towards addressing the drugs trafficking and advancing crime prevention, for a more resilient Africa,” he said.
For his part, United States of America Ambassador to Botswana, Mr Howard Van Vranken said since 2013, the US had partnered with the African Union to counter illicit drugs across the African continent.
Last year, Ambassador Van Vranken said 87 000 Americans lost their lives due to drug overdoses, adding that the US was the second largest country in the world to have lost its population to drug overdoses, ‘most of them as a result of synthetic drugs’.
In Botswana, he said reports showed that drug abuse was rising in cities and villages alike, with children as young as 13 also experimenting with the dangerous substances. He further commended delegates for their collective commitment in coming together to share experiences and expertise in the fight against illicit synthetic drugs trafficking.
He said the forum presented an opportunity for participants to share best practices, identify new threats and to learn from each other’s experiences.
“Our discussions should be practical and we should have national strategies and action plans in place necessary to combat this scourge. The strategies must disrupt the entire global ecosystem.
We need to work together, as a collective, to protect our communities, safeguard our youth and help the world with law. Let’s continue to deepen our cooperation to outpace and outmatch these criminal networks,” he added.
Source: dailynews
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