Drugs, Control, and the Cannabis Question

Editorial

The quiet but dangerous spread of drugs in Mauritius is a slow-motion disaster, and the damage to society will probably be much worse than we currently think. This week’s parliamentary debates on the new National Agency for Drug Control (NADC) bill shows that the country is at a crucial point in its long and difficult fight against this widespread threat. What past investigations revealed, the Prime Minister’s recent strong statements about drug busts, and the very need for a new central agency all indicate a deep-rooted problem that requires not just more effort, but a completely new way of dealing with it.

The reports from the Rault and Lam Shang Leen Commissions of Inquiry painted a disturbing picture of compromised institutions, where the very entities tasked with combatting drugs were seemingly undermined from within. Years ago, the shocking arrest of four MPs in Amsterdam clearly showed how deeply the illegal drug trade can reach, even to the highest levels of society. These revelations highlighted a critical vulnerability: when the gatekeepers themselves become corrupted, the floodgates are left wide open. Sir Anerood Jugnauth’s actions following the Rault Report demonstrated the political will required to confront the issue head-on, a stark reminder of the potential electoral consequences of inaction.

Even though the Prime Minister’s recent statements emphasized successful drug seizures and arrests, they actually revealed how big the drug problem really is. Billions of rupees worth of drugs intercepted and thousands apprehended offer little comfort when the unknown quantity that evades detection could be exponentially larger. The estimated proceeds of this illicit industry, potentially representing several percent of the national GDP, paint a grim picture of an underground economy that rivals legitimate sectors, wielding immense financial power capable of further corrupting the system.

The fundamental question that arises is whether Mauritius can truly win this fight, or if the drug cartels have become so deeply embedded within the fabric of society that the battle is already lost. The fact that these cartels can seemingly embarrass a significant portion of law enforcement officials raises serious doubts about the effectiveness of current strategies. Furthermore, the worrying idea that some politicians in power in the recent past might have obtained shady money from these gangs raises serious doubts about the commitment of part of the political establishment to tackle this issue head-on.

Common sense dictates that without a radical and sustained escalation of countermeasures, the situation will only worsen, potentially spiralling beyond control. The fact that we’re now hearing about how widespread the drug problem is locally deserves a closer look. Why is this information coming out now, after the problem seems to have been growing for years? Could powerful vested interests have knowingly tolerated this growth for their own enrichment? The intelligence-gathering apparatus of Mauritius, with its various agencies, surely possesses, or should possess, detailed information on individuals whose opulent lifestyles far exceed their declared income. The critical question remains: are these individuals being shielded, and are powerful, mafia-like drug gangs operating with impunity, posing a direct threat to the nation’s peace and stability?

The Lam Shang Leen Report explicitly identified the porous nature of Mauritius’s entry points for drugs – the port, the airport, and the coastline patrolled by speedboats. The question then becomes: are the security measures at these crucial junctures truly robust and impervious to corruption? Is there genuine and effective two-way cross-border cooperation with neighbouring islands to stem the flow of illicit substances? The vast sums of “dirty money” generated by the drug trade necessitate sophisticated money-laundering mechanisms, often disguised within seemingly legitimate businesses like gambling establishments, casinos, fast-food outlets, and distribution networks. It is difficult to believe that these activities remain entirely opaque to the nation’s investigative agencies.

The debate surrounding the National Agency for Drug Control bill signifies a recognition at the highest levels that a more coordinated and comprehensive approach is necessary. Prime Minister Navin Ramgoolam’s emphasis on a balanced and multidisciplinary strategy, encompassing prevention, treatment, rehabilitation, and accountability, is a welcome departure from a purely repressive approach. The inclusion of the Drug Users Administrative Panel, adopting a human rights-based approach, also signals a potentially more progressive way of dealing with drug users, acknowledging the complexities of addiction as a public health issue.

However, the Prime Minister’s cautious stance on the legalisation of cannabis warrants careful consideration in light of global trends and emerging scientific evidence. As highlighted by Lindsay Smith Rogers of the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, the global landscape of cannabis policy is rapidly evolving, with numerous jurisdictions legalising medical and recreational use. While acknowledging the need for further research on the risks and benefits, the potential for taxation, regulation, and removal of the product from the illegal market are significant public health considerations.

The distinction between medical and recreational use is increasingly blurred, with many individuals using cannabis for self-medication. While rigorous scientific evidence for all medicinal applications is still emerging, promising results have been observed for conditions like seizures, nausea, and appetite stimulation. The complexity arises from the myriad of cannabinoids, terpenes, and routes of administration, necessitating extensive research to fully understand the potential benefits and risks.

The risks associated with cannabis use, including the potential for cannabis use disorder and mental health consequences, particularly for adolescents with a family history of psychosis, cannot be ignored. However, legalisation also presents potential benefits, such as taking cannabis out of the control of criminal enterprises, implementing quality control and labelling, and potentially reducing the disproportionate criminalisation of occasional users under existing drug laws.

Ultimately, the establishment of the National Agency for Drug Control represents a crucial step in centralising and coordinating the fight against drugs in Mauritius. The agency’s mandate to implement the National Drug Control Master Plan and National Action Plan, and to oversee strategies related to HIV/AIDS, signifies a more holistic approach. However, the success of this agency will hinge on its independence, its resources, and, most importantly, the unwavering political will to confront corruption at all levels and dismantle the powerful drug networks that have taken root in Mauritian society.

The Prime Minister’s assertion that the impunity of drug barons will end under his government must be translated into concrete action. The reorganisation of the Forensic Science Laboratory to expedite results is a positive step, but it must be accompanied by a comprehensive overhaul of intelligence gathering, law enforcement, and the judiciary to ensure that those involved in the drug trade, regardless of their position or influence, are brought to justice.

The fight against the hydra-headed monster of drug proliferation requires more than just a new agency; it demands a fundamental societal commitment to transparency, accountability, and an unwavering determination to reclaim the integrity of its institutions and the future of its people. The time for decisive action is now, before the cankerous growth of the drug trade metastasizes beyond the point of effective intervention. The nation watches, with a mixture of hope and trepidation, to see if this new initiative can finally sever the hydra’s heads and restore health and security to Mauritian society.

Mauritius Times ePaper Friday 25 April 2025