Dear Editor,
While I welcome the ‘A New and United Guyana’ (ANUG) party, I am extremely concerned with Mr. Timothy Jonas’s approach to problem solving, at least on the following issue; and I hope that this is his personal approach and not that of the party. I make reference to his letter in the Stabroek News on 16 January, 2019 titled ‘ANUG supports call for legalization of marijuana in Guyana’. There is no doubt that we definitely need to find a solution to the issue of our young people having criminal records due to marijuana (small amounts) related offences, but this must not necessarily be done through legalization.
I read in the media recently, a news item based on a report from ChildLink ‘Cries in the Dark–Child Sexual Abuse in Guyana Today’. The report sought to highlight some of the health complications of sexually abused children and stated that ‘in some cases, children have suffered from complications such as a ruptured uterus; sexually transmitted infections including gonorrhea and HIV; and pregnancy and childbearing’. This is an issue that ANUG could probably put on its agenda too?
My issue with Mr. Jonas’s approach to finding a solution to this issue; is that it is of a more a legal and economic nature. There are other aspects which need to be seriously considered, such as sociological, psychological, health, family, addiction, inadequate social and other safety nets, etc. What about addressing issues which lead our young people to resorting to the use of marijuana, whether as a way of trying to cope with life’s challenges? Our society and our young people are grappling with a myriad of other issues, some of which may lead to marijuana use.
One of my concerns is that Guyana is, to a large part, in its current state because too many of our leaders did not take the time, or care enough to inform themselves on some very important principles which are absolutely necessary for good governance and leadership; such as what should inform decision-making, consensus building, problem solving, accountability, etc.
I believe that a part of Guyana’s problem, is that we have always had many lawyers in political leadership and who are essentially ‘only’ trained as lawyers. This resulted in lawyers/leaders doing what they are mostly trained to do, either seek a legal solution, or confrontation. Our lawyers/leaders have sought to find too many of the solutions to nation-building and governance in the courts or in a confrontational manner. There are other means which should be used to solve our problems and which will bring about much more win-win solutions.
The time has come for our political leaders to develop other expertise and build their capacity in other areas; after everything that this country has gone through, we need leaders who also understand sociology, psychology, executive leadership, executive management, governance, peacebuilding, security, communications, consensus building, business management, etc., or at least listen to people who do.
While I do agree that it is a big issue for our young people to be criminalized for small amounts of marijuana, the issue has to be addressed in the wider context, beyond legalization and the economic benefits of legalizing marijuana.
I have never seen in any other country, so many people being ‘high’ in the streets, even in countries with significantly larger populations than Guyana and with extreme poverty situations and I have been to quite a few places, and that bothers me. Note, I stated being ‘high’ in the streets.
Is Mr. Jonas aware of how many women in Guyana are struggling with their families, and children? Which are some of the reasons our young people are resorting to drugs, alcohol, etc. ANUG should focus on addressing the causes; let’s fix families and develop more stable homes Mr. Jonas, not legalize marijuana!
Don’t end the race before it is started Mr. Jonas. The ANUG party is a good idea under the current circumstances, build on that. No parent wants to know that their children have a criminal record but they also do not want to know that they can go into the shop and purchase marijuana.
The APNU and PPP have been very smart about their support in this matter, AFC learnt eventually, well hopefully.
Yours faithfully,
Audreyanna Thomas
