NewsWhore
07-24-2008, 05:40 PM
The narcotics advisor to the Presidency, lawyer Marino Vinicio "Vincho" Castillo says that the Dominican judicial system has not had either the courage or the honor to judge drug cases. As reported in Hoy, he added that political parties have also demonstrated indifference to the issue.
Castillo spoke during the inauguration ceremonies for the nation's strategic Drug Program 2008-2012. President Leonel Fernandez and many of the highest-ranking military officials were present.
Castillo then turned his criticisms to the US. Castillo says that the current Bush administration, contrary to the Clinton administration, has not shown solidarity in its logistical support to fight drug trafficking. "Today, the Caribbean is suffering from a very serious major negligence on behalf of the US that has concentrated its efforts on the Iraq war," he said.
According to Castillo, the trafficking and consumption of drugs is a "true catastrophe" for the DR. He said the DR doesn't have the proper framework to deal with the issue. He said that at all levels drug traffickers are treated with impunity and absolution.
Castillo's concerns echoe the comprehensive journalism report published in Hoy. Investigative reporters Minerva Isa and Eladio Pichardo explained that the increase in micro trafficking in the poorest neighborhoods is partly due to a lack of policies geared towards curving the problem. The journalists conclude that state policy is not coherent, systematic nor conscientious and thus so far has had minimal reach. The journalists explained how the National Anti Drug Plan 2000-2005, which was developed with the help of the Inter American Commission for the Drug Control and Abuse (CICAD), was ratified in 2000, months before the PRD took over, but the plan fell by the wayside. The journalists conclude the government is weak in the fight against drugs. The organization in charge of developing the policies, the National Drug Council (CND) has a limited budget but also lacks institutional support to carry out its duties. National Drug Control Department head Rafael Ramirez Ferreira says the pink elephant in the room is corruption and that the responsibility to fight drugs isn't just the government's. The journalists explain that the fight against drugs should be part of a broader plan consistent with cooperation and development models.
More... (http://www.dr1.com/index.html#3)
Castillo spoke during the inauguration ceremonies for the nation's strategic Drug Program 2008-2012. President Leonel Fernandez and many of the highest-ranking military officials were present.
Castillo then turned his criticisms to the US. Castillo says that the current Bush administration, contrary to the Clinton administration, has not shown solidarity in its logistical support to fight drug trafficking. "Today, the Caribbean is suffering from a very serious major negligence on behalf of the US that has concentrated its efforts on the Iraq war," he said.
According to Castillo, the trafficking and consumption of drugs is a "true catastrophe" for the DR. He said the DR doesn't have the proper framework to deal with the issue. He said that at all levels drug traffickers are treated with impunity and absolution.
Castillo's concerns echoe the comprehensive journalism report published in Hoy. Investigative reporters Minerva Isa and Eladio Pichardo explained that the increase in micro trafficking in the poorest neighborhoods is partly due to a lack of policies geared towards curving the problem. The journalists conclude that state policy is not coherent, systematic nor conscientious and thus so far has had minimal reach. The journalists explained how the National Anti Drug Plan 2000-2005, which was developed with the help of the Inter American Commission for the Drug Control and Abuse (CICAD), was ratified in 2000, months before the PRD took over, but the plan fell by the wayside. The journalists conclude the government is weak in the fight against drugs. The organization in charge of developing the policies, the National Drug Council (CND) has a limited budget but also lacks institutional support to carry out its duties. National Drug Control Department head Rafael Ramirez Ferreira says the pink elephant in the room is corruption and that the responsibility to fight drugs isn't just the government's. The journalists explain that the fight against drugs should be part of a broader plan consistent with cooperation and development models.
More... (http://www.dr1.com/index.html#3)