Pubdate: Mon, 05 Jun 2006
Source: Analyst, The (Liberia)
Copyright: 2006 Analyst Liberia
Contact:  http://www.analystliberia.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/3511
Author: J. Ebenezer Daygbor
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/pot.htm (Cannabis)

DRUG DEALERS TO FACE TOUGH ACTION

The newly inducted Executive Director of the government's autonomous 
agency responsible to deal with illicit drugs, called the Drugs 
Enforcement Agency (DEA), Col. James B. Jaddah has promised a tough 
action against those who continue to deal in illicit drugs.

He said the agency will be deal with users of narcotic, illicit and 
psychotropic substances in the country.

Col. Jaddah said in order to reduce the high rate of the illicit drug 
consumption and forestall drug trafficking, distribution, and sales 
the DEA Director said his agency would work hard to reduce if not 
stop the use of illicit drugs. He the agency is working on a 
reduction by about 65% within the next six years.

Speaking during his induction Friday at the DEA headquarters in 
Sinkor, Col. Jaddah also promised that during his administration the 
inspection, investigation of business houses in the Country, and the 
eventual destruction of marijuana farms will form part of his 
administration's strategy.

According to him, DEA personnel are expected to be deployed at all 
ports of entry, and the agency will increase its manpower to cover 
the entire Country to be able to effectively combat the proliferation 
of contraband substances.

Other evil acts that the agency is working against are human 
trafficking, and the development of an effective capacity building 
method to include training on the national and international levels 
for manpower development in areas of laboratory, technology. Such 
training will incorporate investigators, prosecutors and judges in 
drug proceedings.

He maintained that the drug enforcement agency will continue its non 
enforcement policy by adopting an awareness campaign through out the 
nation especially in high schools, colleges, universities, on 
community radio talk shows, with street parades, in sporting 
activities, jingles, and with bill boards.

He noted that one of the major problems that is hindering the 
progress of drug enforcement in Liberia is the lack of drug laws in 
the Liberian constitution. The only law that country has, he noted, 
is the public health law on narcotic drugs, which he indicated is not 
actually a drug law and is a billable offense.

"When a suspect is arrested and charged for selling and distributing 
contraband substances, that suspect can be granted," he noted.
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