Minister of National Security the Hon. Marvin Dames said, on July 20, 2017, that it was clear that The Bahamas had reached a point in time where civil society demands that programs and initiatives be supported by clear empirical evidence.

"With limited resources available for funding criminal justice initiatives, understanding how to identify and implement evidence based practices will be critical for decision makers in all areas of the justice system in The Bahamas," Minister Dames said, during the Dissemination Meeting for the Bahamas National Drug Household Survey, held at the Paul Farquharson Conference Centre.

He noted that, over the last four decades The Bahamas has been on the frontline of drug control reduction efforts, committing continually to weakening illicit drug enterprises that exist regionally.

"Since assuming the role of Chair for the Inter-American Drug Abuse Control Commission (CICAD) of the Organization of American States in November 2016, we have undertaken a leading role through cooperation and capacity building along with major counterparts and key stakeholders," Minister Dames said.

Minister Dames noted that The Bahamas is situated between the illicit drug production centres in Central and South America and the Caribbean, and illegal drug markets within major cities of North America and Europe. Popular narcotics such as cocaine and marijuana, which are produced in the region, were the principal drugs in the trans-shipment process into and through the islands, he added.

"As these signature drugs make their way to our streets, crime and violence are its bi-products," he said.

"As in other nations in the hemisphere, The Bahamas faces similar social ills and the reality that laws and regulations alone do not always correct social behaviour," Minister Dames noted. "The need to address contributing factors is essential to socio-economic growth and community development."

Minister Dames said that that was why the Bahamas Government and stakeholders were pleased that day that, through the assistance of CICAD, The Bahamas’ national drug household survey was conducted to identify the level of drug prevalence throughout the country's communities.

"Collaborations such as this strengthen bilateral and multi-agency relationships and efforts," Minister Dames said. "This dissemination event represents what is best when each of us partner and work together in combating the illicit trade and the abuse of drugs.

"Together we weaken the far-reaching impact of drugs among the most vulnerable communities."

Minister Dames said The Bahamas National Drug Household Survey project is the first step of many initiatives which will ensure that national drug and crime control strategies are properly designed, implemented, and monitored.

He added that there are a number of other initiatives that are in progress, that are also geared to addressing the drug problem including the Citizen Security and Justice Program.

"Key among the project’s objectives is the treatment, rehabilitation and reintegration of offenders, including those serving time for drug related offences," Minister Dames noted. "In addition, The Bahamas is also in the process of establishing a Drug Treatment Court as well as a Probation & Parole System to provide alternatives to incarceration for drug-dependent offenders through treatment and offender management."

Moving forward, Minister Dames said, there will be other research initiatives including the National School Drug Survey, which is slated to begin during the Fall School Term in 2017.

"This survey will be the fourth in a series of studies conducted using the methodology devised by CICAD," he pointed out. "The first survey was completed in 2002 and the others in 2008 and 2012. Like the outcomes before, the survey will measure the drug prevalence level and trends among Bahamian secondary students."

Minister Dames said that, throughout the course of today’s activities, we anticipate that the information shared from this study will be useful in modernizing and strengthening drug prevention programs equipped to address the challenges for the 21st century.

"Finally, I give the full assurances of our Government remains a willing and committed partner and we are confident that underpinning the discussions at this dissemination meeting is the resolve to improve and formulate data, charting the course of response to findings about drug abuse and its influence on our society," he said. 

Minister of National Security the Hon. Marvin Dames speaks, on July 20, 2017, during the Dissemination Meeting for the Bahamas National Drug Household Survey, held at the Paul Farquharson Conference Centre. (BIS Photo/Patrick Hanna)

By Eric Rose

Bahamas Information Services