DRUG CONCERN

Former Chief Justice Sir David Simmons is concerned that crimes associated with drugs, firearms and burgulary continue to pose problems for Barbados.And he is especially bothered about the effect drugs are having on the society.In veiled reference to the current crisis in Jamaica, Sir David stated yesterday: “I have always taken a strong position all my public life against drugs, and I am on record several times as saying that drugs have the capacity to undermine democracy, to corrupt public officials including politicians, and I think that, without being prophetic, the reality of those words is being played out as we speak.”    During an interview with the Daily Nation, Sir David identified the proliferation of drug use and abuse and the use of firearms as two features of contemporary crime “that are matters of concern in Barbados”. The alarming rate of burglaries was also troublesome, he said.“These phenomena were not around when I started practice in 1970,” he added. According to Sir David, statistics showed that contrary to public perception, there had been a steady decline in the incidence of overall crime from 1994 to 2009.He said the worse year for crime in Barbados was 1993 when more than 13 000 crimes were recorded. The net number now stands below 9 000. But the proliferation of crime in the three particular areas mentioned, continues to be a source of bother.Sir David suggested that the problem needed to be addressed on a wider scale, stating: “The reduction of drugs and firearms requires regional and international co-operation among law enforcement agencies.” He recalled: “It was about 1974 when we first saw marijauna coming into Barbados in fairly large quantities, but it has got worse over time.”  Sir David went on pre-retirement leave in January, and was subsequently appointed first chairman of the Integrity Commission Board in the Turks and Caicos Islands effective May 1. He remains based in Barbados.