OBSERVANCE OF INTERNATIONAL DAY AGAINST DRUG ABUSE AND DRUG
TRAFFICKING

Today the National Drug Council (NDC) joins with the United Nations
and countries around the world to mark International Day against Drug
Abuse and Illicit Trafficking.

We at the NDC welcome this day as yet another opportunity to
reinforce the message that illegal drugs have no place in our
community and it is especially fitting that this message underlines
the slogan for today's observance: "Do drugs control your life? Your
life. Your community. No place for drugs."

The observance of this day is an initiative of the United Nations
Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) which continues its anti-drugs
campaign with today's launch of the new slogan.

The UNODC will be using this slogan over the next three years to
raise awareness on different aspects of drug control: drug abuse in
2007, drug cultivation and production in 2008 and illicit drug
trafficking in 2009.

The campaign seeks to inspire people and mobilize support for drug
control and focuses on drugs that are subject to control as specified
by three multi-lateral treaties that form the basis of the
international drug control system.

These illegal drugs include amphetamine-type stimulants,
coca/cocaine, cannabis, hallucinogens, opiates and sedative hypnotics.

The UNODC reveals that nearly 200 million people worldwide are using
these drugs. Cannabis -- marijuana, hashish, THC -- lead by far with
162 million users. In fact, cannabis, which is common all over the
world, is known to be changing. The drug's potency has been
increasing over the years and there is evidence that mental health
problems relating to cannabis use may be underestimated.

The data also reveal that amphetamine, methamphetamine, ecstasy, and
methcathinone have some 35 million users and an estimated 16 million
people use opiates --opium, morphine, heroin and synthetic opiates.
Some 13 million people use cocaine.

This clearly tells us that we cannot afford to relax or be complacent
in our efforts to curb illicit drug trafficking and use of illegal
drugs.

Based on empirical evidence, we know that no family or community can
be safe when illegal drugs take root. We also recognize that drug
control and drug abuse prevention require a community approach and
the understanding of everyone -- parents, extended family, friends,
teachers, the church and other community groups. In many ways, it
requires that we be our brothers' (sisters) keepers.

Fortunately, the NDC is able to work with a number of partner
agencies that are able to provide many of the support services
including intervention, counseling and treatment.

We hope that by using this International Day against Drug Abuse and
Illicit Trafficking as part of our public education programme, we can
continue to gain support for drug control. Indeed this international
campaign and this day allow us to remind our community of the major
problem that illicit drugs represent to society.

We will be incorporating the UNODC's slogan into our own public
education programmes. The NDC is preparing fact sheets and brochures
for parents, teens and teachers on various drugs and their harmful
effects.

The NDC has information and resources that can help parents,
teachers, and young and old alike learn more about drugs and how to
stay away from them. I urge everyone to avail themselves of these
resources.

Not only do we continue to underscore the anti-drug message, but our
efforts are also directed at pointing out healthy and fulfilling
alternatives to drugs. In these efforts, we are particularly
concerned that our young people make personal choices that leave no
room to be tempted with illegal drugs.

As we join the world community in the international observance of
this day, I ask that we all continue to support the efforts that are
aimed at drug abuse prevention and control in the Cayman Islands.