Dear Editor,
Those pushing for the legalization of marijuana should take note of the growing number of murders of Guyana’s innocent citizens, and now a young, promising non-resident. I have yet to hear of one murderer who was not a drug addict. All these murders-for-hire, all these premeditated killings, all the savage robbery-murders are being perpetrated by a set of young drug addicts, whose minds are being altered by the imbibing of the abundance of narcotic substances available here in Guyana.
And I would guarantee you that a great percentage of the loot carried away by these savage-minded individuals, is ploughed right back into the drug trade. It is a known fact that alcohol, ganja and cocaine are the drugs of choice that inoculate the consciences of these youths before and after their heinous crimes.
And just imagine, marijuana is not legal yet. Just think for a moment what Guyana would be like when every youth could access ‘weed’ with impunity. Those calling for the legalizing of marijuana and citing other countries, need to understand that Guyana does not have the capacity to deal with the onslaught of societal ills that will be unleashed on our communities, if ‘pot’ is legalized.
Ganja makes you hungry; it also makes you emotionally numb. It is a mind-altering stimulus, hence the need to keep using it. It is also very addictive. And it is also not cheap. It is the need to fill those derived cravings that drives the addict to commit crimes. The need for the drug accompanied by the need to fill one’s stomach, plus the need for the necessary finances, drives the user into a free fall of desperation, where anything goes.
Many of the killings that are taking place would not happen if the killers were not high on something. I know that Guyana is short on psychologists and psychiatrists; however, I would guarantee you that a precursory series of interviews with these youths, will give the authorities cause for pause as they contemplate slackening the drug laws in this country.
Mr Nigel Huges and Bro Freddie Kissoon are understandably agitating for the rethinking of the sentencing policies for marijuana. There has been some pushback from Vice President and Public Security Minister Khemraj Ramjattan. The nation is watching the play and counter-play between the civic, legal and administrative minds as it pertains to the marijuana issue. There has to be some balance struck. Let’s look at the pros and cons for we should be careful to not throw out the baby with the bath water.
It’s a fact that too many youths are being disproportionately incarcerated and having their future permanently scarred, for ganja related charges. It is also a fact that too many youths are getting high and killing innocent people.
Yours faithfully,
Pastor Wendell P Jeffrey
