Youth debate on Drugs: Legalization of cannabis: To be or not to be

Mauritius has been under the spotlight for drugs consumption and drug trafficking. Various young people have lost their lives and many are still following treatment in mental hospital due to psychiatric issues. Police officers have been arrested for importation of drugs. Day to day, the situation is becoming more alarming. The question remains: what should be done to redress the situation or is the legalization of cannabis a solution? Debate!    

Zafiirah Choomka:“Mauritius is in the red”

Drugs prevalence is causing havoc in our small country, says Zafiirah. “Youngsters are falling prey to the use of synthetic drugs easily, as it is available at a cheaper rate. However, lost of lives also have been very common due to these drugs. Mauritius is in the red. Some youngsters are even taking medicines as drugs and die due to overdose. If this situation persists, then our future is dark. In this sense, legalizing Cannabis is never a choice. If today cannabis is legalized, people will not use cannabis for medical purposes but will instead turn into addicts.”

Avina John:“Rate of victims alarming”

Avina states that drug addiction is a chronic disease that impacts the brain, a reason why it is difficult to stop its consumption. “There is an alarming rate of victims in Mauritius. According to the national unity committee during the last meeting in the State House at Reduit in the presence of the president of the Republic; it was stated that the victims are more likely to be the youngsters in Mauritius. Even in prisons, social workers continue to sensitize the young and have prevention campaigns to help having a good life without drugs. Furthermore, to legalise cannabis in Mauritius, we need to have a legal and control system. Cultivation of cannabis should be conducted under strict regulations. In Mauritius, we are not as prepared as in Australia and America.”

Karen Meunier:“Work in unity to fight this evil”

Karen explains that drugs are taking over the country even if some leaders continue to remain blind to this social evil. “Statistics have shown that new types of drugs are emerging each year and are killing people at a younger age. In March of this year, there have even been cases where youngsters who have been caught were suspected to be under the influence of synthetic drugs at school. Moreover, dealers are often aged not more than 15 years old, leaving school early to devote themselves to drug trade. It is a fact that the current drug situation prevailing in Mauritius is alarming. Some say that it is fear factor that is preventing people from denouncing such acts but others simply use the current leaders as the scapegoats, but it is a certainty that this is a social problem, involving the whole society to work in unity to fight this evil.” 

She further adds “cannabis is thought by many to be the ultimate alternative to synthetic drugs, as it is natural and even considered as medicinal in some cases. Its legalization has long been debated in Mauritius and is still being so but the authorities have not accepted to decriminalize marijuana. Since 1973, 13 state legislatures in the USA have legalized marijuana and studies have shown that crime rates have decreased over time after it has been legalized. Could it be the cure for our society?”

Deenap Sookmanee:“Legalize cannabis”

Mauritius is not a noteworthy transhipment place on a worldwide extent; the island state is more and more seen as a regional focus for heroin supply, often planned for onward movement into Europe and even the United States, confides Deenap. “As we are living in a modern society this may have altered the way youngsters see their lifestyle, which man have pushed them towards drug consumption, especially ‘synthetic.’ The situation is becoming more and more disturbing with an approximate three to four youngsters ending up in hospitals after intense synthetic drugs.”

For the young man, cannabis is the most prohibited drug but used on a global scale. “It is merely a plant that has been used for more than 5,000 years, as a remedy. Its legalisation is a fiercely controversial subject that divides opinions politically, medically and scientifically. Some people argue that cannabis has never killed anyone. Alcohol and tobacco killed many people annually, but is still legal. However, A study by the British Lung Foundation found that just three cannabis joints daily cause the same harm as 20 cigarettes. Cannabis is not a safe drug. It has a high absorption of psychoactive substances that cross from the bloodstream directly into the brain. However, crime rates in countries where cannabis is officially authorized are drastically getting lower. Cannabis could also create employment on our island. The cannabis is also the main element of what is called hempcrete, a revolutionary construction material, better than concrete. Hempcrete gets harder in due course and is a very solid material. Cannabis is also known as a “mop crop”, to clear impurities out of wastewater, soil and air. Cannabis is also used in medical and cosmetic products. For an enhanced economy, healthy people and island, legalize cannabis.”

Anzalnah Domun:“Suppress the supply of illicit drugs”

Drug consumption on the island is not a recent phenomenon reveals Anzalnah.  “Following the abolition of slavery in 1834, Mauritius, then a British colony, experienced an inflow of indentured labourers from India who introduced cannabis to the island. During the same period, immigrants from China brought opium to the island. These drugs mainly served traditional purposes and were not of serious public concern.  With drug smuggling rising, local social centres noted a huge rise in the number of child and teenage addicts. Drug addiction in Mauritius has led to the proliferation of prostitution, thefts and armed attacks.  The most preposterous argument as to why marijuana should become legal is that it is natural and that it was put on the earth by God. Some people think that’s a good enough reason as to why it is good and should be legal. Toxins and chemicals are found naturally on earth, should we roll those up and smoke them as well?   Why marijuana should not be legalized?” She questions.

For her if marijuana is not legalised, it is because it can harm the young people who are the hope and future of human kind. “Marijuana may affect the development of the brain if smoked at a young age. This is not only harming the future of young people, but also the future of our country and the world. If marijuana was legalized, then it would become more easily accessed by younger generations, with fewer stigma attached to its consumption. Like alcohol, the responsibility must lie with the parents.  The last argument is morality. Would you want to live in a neighborhood full of cannabis smokers? Would you want to raise a family as your child gets swayed to use this harmful substance?   Suppressing the supply of illicit drugs, arrest drug offenders and have them prosecuted will be of great help to destroy cannabis.” 

Issack Beebee Noor E Pakeezah: “Government has to take severe action”

Pakeezah reveals that drugs have become sensational news and most of the youth are victims of drugs. “Dangerous drugs such as heroin, cocaine, cannabis, marijuana and many more have spread like wild fire among youngsters which affect them mentally, physically and emotionally. It may also lead to domestic violence and financial issues resulting to broken families. Not only these things, but those who are drug addicts have consciously destroyed their promising future and career and with their behavior in society, they are also influencing youngsters who are not addicted to drugs. Drugs are a pain for the society and to prevent the situation from worsening, the government has to take severe action concerning drug issues. Drug dealings and trafficking are serious criminal offenses that are punishable by many years in prison and liable to heavy fines.”

She believes that cannabis is used as medicines for the treatment of patients but it is also a fact that overdoses of drugs can provoke life risking consequences. “Legalizing cannabis will not control drugs but will rather worsen the situation. However, the situation is, drugs cannot be controlled. It has become one of the basic needs for drug addicts. If cannabis has been legalized then it will cost lives and this step will have a negative impact on innocent youngsters and on the society. However, in order to help drug addicts, the government has promoted free psychiatric consultation.”

Jake Carnel:“Our youth is in danger”

Jake Carnel argues that the current situation concerning the propagation of drugs in Mauritius is critical. “Our youth is in danger more than ever and the authorities, including the government are struggling in the fight against drugs in the country. Every day, I meet young people and families who are affected by this problem. As an artist, I travel all over the country and it is sad to see how drugs are so easily available. Even though the authorities have recently made some big drug catches, valued at above hundreds of millions of rupees, I believe that this is only the tip of the iceberg. Drugs are entering the country more than ever and at an incredible pace. The real questions that we should ask ourselves are: why are Mauritians consuming more and more drugs and how are these so readily available?”

For Jake, the government should acknowledge that this problem is really getting worst in order to fight it. “We cannot say that no one has died from synthetic drugs in Mauritius and not expecting that this denial make the situation even worse. Government should accept that the problem is getting out of control and take the necessary measures to cope with it. Society and non-governmental organizations too, have a major role to play, if we really seek to have important and lasting positive results.”

Jake does not believe that legalizing any drug can result in any good. “Cannabis consumers’ should not be imprisoned. Increased fine and mass sensitization can surely yield better results. On the other way, prison might only induce the cannabis’ consumer to try more dangerous drugs and get back in society, not as a better citizen, but instead as a worse one.”