Editorial

A Losing Battle Against Drugs!

The ‘youtube’ phenomenon has been going since February 2005, and allows the public to broadcast their own videos; it is a democratic medium where the audience are also the broadcasters. The other day I decided to have a look at what had been posted by Seychellois people about Seychelles. I had expected lots of idyllic images; however the 16th video on air was one about Heroin in the Seychelles also known as “Nos” locally.

Last Sunday during an interview with Antoine Onezime on SBC TV to mark his first year in elected office, President Michel spoke lengthily about the way drugs are making a negative impact on society. According to Michel, illicit drugs are the sole crisis currently facing this country. We at Le Nouveau Seychelles Weekly, are of the view that drugs underlie a greater predicament this country faces today and will continue to do so for the foreseeable future. We have been aware of this issue for quite some time now, and feel that the Government is paying less than lip service to the problem. If we are wrong then we would like the government to make public their plan of action for solving the drugs epidemic. We want targets and we want policy on how this government’s system of law and order will make a positive impact on the drugs epidemic.  James Michel needs to be judged by his actions on this issue!

On assuming the Presidency and during his tour of the districts in July 2005, President Michel professed that he would be going after the drugs barons. In fact, soon after, one person was arrested out of revenge because he is known to be a critic of this Administration. The person in question was later exonerated from all culpability before the court because he was able to prove the source of the funds he had in his bank account. In the meantime, the real barons had left the country for a life of luxury overseas. We need to take the drug issue seriously and deal with it in a manner that is effective, treating everyone irrespective of political affiliation with the same yard stick.

Just before the National Assembly elections the nephew of a very powerful man from La Digue was arrested in possession of heroin on Praslin. This particular case was dealt with favourably by the court. The young man in question was granted bail, and he is still a free man, whereas other similar cases are refused bail which has been the judicial policy, no bail, for anyone caught in possession of heroin. Other people with the right connections or with powerful relatives in President Michel’s government have been released without charged. These are the kind of incidences which have set the approach for dealing with drug-related crimes by the Police Force. The police officers are human beings and when ordered to release someone, without charge, because of who he or she is or again because of who they know, even if that person was caught in possession of drugs, gives way to corruption. The “if he can do it, I can do it too” mentality sets in and the rest is history.

Certain personnel within the Police Force are also involved in drug trafficking and Mr. Michel, if the State Security are delivering genuine intelligence, this surely must be known at State House. Whenever there is a seizure of drugs, part of the confiscation finds its way back on the streets in the hands of small dealers. Exhibits at the court house are known to have disappeared time and time again. Last year personnel within State Security were offering money to people close to the Editor of this newspaper (Ralph Volcere) to frame him by planting drug on his person. Therefore, State Security people must have access to drugs, Mr. Michel. Where do they get drugs to plant on people from? This is the question. Maybe you are not aware Mr. Michel; your campaign for the presidency was partly financed by the proceeds of the sale of drugs. Some people giving big donations to charity as a means to curry favour and protection are also in the drug trade Mr. Michel. Mr. Michel you are shaking the hands with drug dealers regularly without you realising it. Look around you Mr. Michel; bottle of alcohol broke at the airport and its content was illicit drugs, Sir.

Unless this situation is taken seriously by sitting together all stakeholders, political and religious, to re-look at the whole strategy of how to deal with this problem which is threatening to engulf the nation, especially the youths, we will continue to fight a losing battle against drugs! 

August 10, 2007
Copyright 2007: Seychelles Weekly, Victoria, Mahe, Seychelles