The National Anti-Narcotics Agency (NANA), in collaboration with other agencies, was able to take some 579,412 kilogrammes of narcotics off the market for 2018. This amount translates to roughly over 1,200,000 pounds of illegal substances.
According to NANA’s Annual Report of the Guyana Drug Information Network, law enforcement agencies conducted over 300 seizures of illicit drugs and conducted over 20 eradication operations.
Additionally, over 500 persons were charged with drug-related offences in 2018. Drugs seized included cannabis, cocaine, ecstasy, heroin, and methamphetamine.
The Annual Report of the Guyana Drug Information Network seeks to provide comprehensive data on drug supply and demand interventions carried out in 2018. The report aims to support the development of evidence-based policy and programme to combat the drug problem.
The report highlights that, for 2018, drug prevention interventions were collaborative ventures with prevention specialists from both the government agencies and NGOs working together to target over 3,000 persons across Guyana to inform them about the impact of substance use on the individual, family and the community and equip them with the tools necessary to make informed decisions about substance use. Many of these programmes targeted youth both in and out of school.
Moreover, through various training programmes initiated by the Ministry of Public Health and the Ministry of Education, the capacity of over 600 persons was built in the areas of drug prevention and treatment interventions to address the drug problem.
Additionally, over 100 persons have received specialised treatment for problematic drug use via the Phoenix Recovery Project and the Salvation Army’s Men Social Service. These are all measures to address the Public Health Impact that the drug problem has on our society.
