National Security Minister Michael Dunkley has released a National Drug Control Master Plan and Action Plan, aimed at “reducing both drug supply and drug demand” on the Island.

He said the plan represented the second phase of Government’s National Strategy on drugs which “will lead to implementing policies and programmes that will reduce the harms caused by alcohol and other drug use”.

Mr. Dunkley told the House of Assembly this morning that the plan supported “a comprehensive focus on approaches that address drug-use prevention, drug abuse treatment, research, legislation, institutional frameworks, law enforcement and interdiction, protection of the borders, drug supply reduction, international cooperation, and monitoring and evaluation”.

“The Plan acts both as a director and a directory of this country’s policies and programmes aimed at diminishing the negative impact drugs misuse, abuse, and illicit trafficking.”

The three main goals of the Plan, said Mr. Dunkley, were:

• To reduce drug-related harms by recognising the drug problem as a major public health threat to the nation.

• To minimise the immediate concerns to the citizens in the context of the principal harms of drug use and abuse such as crime, public nuisance, drug-related violence, physical and mental health problems, social costs, and community degradation; and

• To respect human rights, local judicial norms, and cultural attitudes toward alcohol and drug use.

The Minister revealed 18 key objectives of the Plan:

1 To provide effective coordination and oversight of the National Drug Control Master Plan.

2 To ensure appropriate resources for drug-related programmes are available.

3 To implement a balanced, multi-disciplinary approach to substance abuse prevention and treatment.

4 To educate the public about risks and methods for preventing engagement in inappropriate use of alcohol, tobacco, and other drugs.

5 To expand the implementation of research-based prevention programming to effectively reduce drug use amongst youth.

6 To develop community partnerships that will promote prevention activities that address environmental change.

7 To improve access to treatment services.

8 To improve the quality of treatment and rehabilitation services.

9 To educate the public on the health risks associated with substance use and abuse.

10 To develop measures to reduce drunk driving.

11 To have a coordinated approach between BPS and HM Customs.

12 To increase HM Customs’ capability to target and dismantle drug importation rings.

13 To have an amalgamated intelligence function/arm.

14 To establish a code of conduct or professional standards for interdiction personnel (or across the Justice System).

15 To gather information that will facilitate evidence-based decision making for substance abuse prevention and treatment programmes.

16 To provide an evaluation framework to assess the management, coordination, and implementation of the national drug control initiatives and the strategies outlined in the National Master Plan.

17 To provide evidence to support the establishment of laws and policies that foster healthy individuals and communities.

18 To facilitate, coordinate, and manage the Bermuda Drug Information Network (BerDIN).

“The management of the Master Plan is intended to be driven by a coordinating body or steering committee,” added Mr. Dunkley.

“This coordinating body will decide on the priorities of the National Plan annually and will manage the general order of business to ensure the implementation of the Plan over the next four years.

“As stewards of the National Drug Control Master Plan, the Department for National Drug Control (DNDC) is responsible for the management, coordination, and evaluation and monitoring of the Plan. While the DNDC plays a major role in driving the Plan, the Department and its functions are just a small part of the National Drug Control Strategy. Actions need to be taken by government, non-government entities, and community members alike.

“The harms resulting from illicit drugs in our country are consistently identified as contributing to our social ills. It is my belief that as we work to implement the National Drug Control Plan for 2013-2017, we need to be united in our vision for a healthy and drug-free community with each sector of the community playing its role.

“I wish to commend the Department for National Drug Control, its strategic partners, and members of the community for their input and unparalleled support in expertly informing the planning and drafting of this National Plan.”