Africa-Press – Mauritius. The war on drugs has been declared, but the Government cannot do it all alone. The magnitude of drug scourge makes it essential for all stakeholders to engage in collaborative platforms to ensure that policies and strategies remain responsive and relevant.
The Prime Minister, Mr. Pravind Kumar Jugnauth, made this statement this morning, during the launching of the Report of a survey conducted by the National Drug Secretariat last September, among people who use drugs.
Various Ministers, eminent personalities and relevant stakeholders were present at the launching ceremony, held at the Sir Harilall Vaghjee Hall, in Port-Louis.
The UN Resident Coordinator and UNDP Representative Mauritius and Seychelles, Mrs Christine Umutoni and the WHO Representative in Mauritius, Dr Laurent Musango, were present on the occasion.
In his address, the Prime Minister underlined that the findings of the survey will certainly provide policy-makers, programme managers and practitioners, with information that will improve our understanding of the causes of drug abuse.
Such knowledge will help us to delay or prevent initiation of substance use and reduce harms related to drugs, he stressed. With findings of the survey and evidence based info, statistically sound data will be available to shed light on changing patterns of drug use and set pace for stronger monitoring of programmes and policies, underscored the PM.
Prime Minister Jugnauth thanked the UN Resident Coordinator, Mrs Christine Umutoni, the WHO Representative in Mauritius, Dr Laurent Musango, and the International Consultant working with the WHO, Dr Lisa Johnson for their contribution in the initiative. Mr.
Pravind Kumar Jugnauth deplored that Mauritius faced a drug scourge for a long time when traffickers were tolerated, and they enriched themselves at the cost of human lives because of weak policies, lenient monitoring, and because some people in authority turned a blind eye.
We as a Government, he said, we have set out a series of policies and actions to address the proliferation of drugs, namely: Setting up a Commission of Enquiry on Drug Trafficking in September 2015 and most of its recommendations published in 2018 addressing institutional and legislative policies and operational issues, have been implemented.
With assistance of the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, a National Drug Control Masterplan in 2019-2023 was developed. To ensure proper coordination and monitoring of the implementation of the Masterplan, a National Drug Secretariat was set up under the PMO in 2019.
PM Jugnauth also pointed out that he is chairing the High Level Drugs And HIV Council since January 2019, to oversee and lead our national response to the drug issue.
He underpinned Government’s comprehensive and well-coordinated strategy to combat drug abuse and trafficking also through legislation and law enforcement to have tight control on trafficking.
On that score, he outlined a series of initiatives regarding the treatment and rehabilitation of people who use drug, including the setting up of a dedicated centre at Long Mountain Hospital for rehabilitation of youngsters with substance use problems in 2018, five Addiction Units were set up in different regions to facilitate access to health services.
Our zero-tolerance approach towards drug traffickers has led to drug seizures amounting to Rs 4.7 billion in 2021 and Rs 471 million 2020, informed the PM.
Furthermore, PM Jugnauth announced the setting up a Drug Offenders Administrative Panel in Mauritius, an initiative based on a human rights approach that will bring a paradigm shift in the way we deal with people having substance use disorders, and will facilitate their treatment and rehabilitation.
The Prime Minister expressed hope that the findings will guide Government to be even more efficient and effective in its crusade against drugs. The war against drugs unites us and brings us together as one nation and reinforces our determination not to tolerate trafficking by anyone, anytime, at any place, he observed.
On his part, Dr Laurent Musango said that the Survey is a milestone in terms of availability of evidence-based information which he stressed, will enable the Government to develop appropriate policies in a balanced and efficient manner. He highlighted that evidence-based information is crucial for timely mobilisation of resources and for upstream actions.
He reaffirmed WHO’s support to Government’s efforts in four areas, namely: reduce stigma and discrimination that act as a barrier to access to health care services; promote access to appropriate treatment; promote multisectoral integrated approach; and monitor change and impacts of interventions.
He also lauded the leadership of PM Jugnauth and his unflinching commitment and effort in the drug problem on Mauritius as well as other health activities.
As for Mrs Christine Umutoni, she underlined the need for concerted effort to address this global problem and emphasised that it is in this spirit that the UN forged a partnership in Mauritius.
She expressed satisfaction as regards the people-centred and participatory approach espoused by the Government to address the problem. Furthermore, she observed that it is crucial to engage in measuring and surveillance to be able to tackle an issue efficiently.
By sharing facts regarding the drug issue, the Report will help save life and enable targeted interventions at the policy making level, she underlined.
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