By Nelson Manneh
The Drug Law Enforcement Agency-The Gambia (DLEA-G) on Tuesday, 11 March 2025, laid the foundation stone for the construction of a rehabilitation, correction and treatment Centre for victims of substance abuse, and other drug-related psychosis.
Demba Ceesay, the Director of DLEA-G said the growing need to see youth in drugs as victims and not perpetrators, is the reason why ongoing efforts are being made to amend the Drug Control Act (2003).
Ceesay reported that the agency is making efforts to come up with alternatives to incarceration (ATI) programs, including community services for first-time offenders in selected common drugs, lighter fines for certain quantities of selected drugs and counselling and skills training services for drug victims, just to name a few. He believes the correction and rehabilitation centre will serve as a beacon of hope for individuals and families shattered by drug addiction.
In the wake of the surge in drug abuse among the country’s youth, Mr. Ceesay said the project, which is the first of its kind in the country, could not have come at a better time.
“Cannabis Sativa continues to be the most abused drug in the Gambia due mainly to its availability and relatively low cost. Also, the advent of new synthetic and psychotropic substances poses other grave challenges to our youth,” he said.
Ceesay said there is a growing realization that supply suppression in the form of arrest and incarceration, has not always provided the best answers. Thus, he said the project could be a game changer, providing the much-needed intervention programs related to treatment, rehabilitation, and reintegration of victims of substance abuse into society.
“DLEA-G will not be in a position to single-handedly run the centre. And that is why it is important to note that this is a centre for all. To our valued healthcare professional partners, social welfare workers and Civil Society Organizations, DLEA-G will reach out to you because your expertise and support will be essential for the success of the centre,” he said.
Abdoulie Sanyang, the Minister of the Interior, said the centre will serve as a symbol of hope and a testament to the nation’s commitment to prioritize a public health approach in response to the drug problem.
“As you all know, DLEA-G is mandated by law to regulate the use and possession of controlled drugs, prohibited drugs, precursors and matters connected therewith. Key among the Agency’s functions as indicated in Section 15 (f) of the Drug Control Act 2003, is the preparation of guidelines to support persons affected by the misuse of drugs by way of providing proper facilities and services for the treatment, rehabilitation and after-care services to such persons,” he said.
The Interior Minister said the establishment of the facility will enable the Agency to fulfill one of its key functions, and that DLEA-G has registered giant strides in the crusade against drugs since its formation in 2005.
“The Agency has over the years recorded several landmark cases that enabled DLEA-G to etch its name as one of the leading anti-narcotics agencies in the sub-region. Indeed, the Agency has collaborated with other agencies across the world and registered large seizures of drugs in unprecedented interdictions,” Mr. Sanyang said.
He said the fight against illicit drug trafficking and abuse is not solely limited to supply suppression regimes, but requires a strategic response mechanism to reduce addiction and substance disorders among youth, which has become a great cause for concern.
Mr. Sanyang said the West Africa Region, including The Gambia, faces huge challenges compounded by the advent of the new psychoactive substances and the continued evolving trends in the abuse and trafficking of drugs. He reflects on the devastating consequences of drugs like ‘Kush’, ‘ecstasy’ and other psychoactive substances on the youth.
“The current situation is being helped by drug cartels using our sub-region as a transit and storage hub of hard drugs from South America, meant for Europe. This has brought about acute complexities that call for balanced and comprehensive responses. Counselling services, correction and rehabilitation for victims of drugs are some of the key responses required of agencies and institutions that work with our youth,” he said.
For the information of the readership, the ECOWAS Commission agreed to support the Drug Law enforcement Agency-The Gambia (DLEAG) in 2018, to build a correction, rehabilitation and treatment center for victims of substance abuse disorders and other drug-related psychosis. However, due to unforeseen circumstances, the project could not take off as anticipated.
