By Lloyd Williams, Senior Associate Editor THE MULTILATERAL Evaluation Mechanism (MEM), of the Inter-American Drug Abuse Control Commission, a specialised agency of the Organisation of American States (OAS), has commended Jamaica on implementing four of 16 recommendations the Commission has made to the island to enable it to advance its fight against the scourge of illicit drugs and related crimes.
According to the latest (2003) progress report of the commission (popularly known as CICAD, its Spanish acronym), on drug control in the hemisphere, 16 recommendations were assigned to Jamaica during the current evaluation round, and were fully implemented. The remaining 12 are at various stages of implementation.
RATIFICATION
Two, ratification of the Inter-American Convention on Mutual Assistance in Criminal Matters and creation of monitoring and accreditation mechanisms for health entities and professionals, especially those treating addictions, were reiterated from the First Evaluation Round, 1999-2000.
CICAD cited what it said was Jamaica's timely ratification of the UN Convention against Trans-national Organised Crime and its related Protocols, in September 2003, soon after the coming into force of the instrument.
"On the other hand", it said, "failure to fully implement recommendations relating to the evaluation of effectiveness of data-collecting capacity, setting parameters for patient care at treatment centres, taking measures to quantify the quality and potential yield of illicit crops are some of the outstanding actions that diminish efforts to building capacity. CICAD, therefore, encourages Jamaica to persist in its efforts in fulfilling all the recommendations, notwithstanding the challenges that it has clearly identified."
Following are some of CICAD's recommendations, Jamaica's report in reply, and CICAD's response:
Recommendation: "A central co-ordinating entity for the operation of the national anti-drug plan."
Report: "Jamaica reports that an Inter-Ministerial Committee was established in June 2003 to serve as a central co-ordinating entity for the operation of its National Anti Drug Plan. This is a permanent committee comprised of representatives of the Ministry of National Security, the Ministry of Health, the Ministry of Education, the National Council on Drug Abuse, the Customs Department, the Contraband Enforcement Team, the Financial Intelligence Division and the Organised Crime Division."
Response: "CICAD views with satisfaction the implementation of this recommendation".
Recommendation: "Ratify the United Nations Convention Against Transnational Organised Crime and its three protocols."
Report: "Jamaica reports that the United Nations Convention Against Transnational Organised Crime and its three Protocols were ratified on September 29, 2003. Jamaica also informs of the need to amend existing and introduce several pieces of legislation in order to meet international obligations."
Response: "CICAD commends Jamaica on the implementation of this recommendation."
Recommendation: "Reiterate the recommendation from the First Evaluation Round 1999-2000 to ratify the Inter-American Convention on Mutual Assistance in Criminal Matters."
Report: "Jamaica reports that on January 5, 2004, Cabinet gave approval for the ratification of the Inter-American Convention on Mutual Assistance in Criminal Matters."
Response: "CICAD recognises the progress made and urges Jamaica to complete the ratification process and deposit the instrument of ratification if possible by the end of 2004."
Recommendation: "Create a formal mechanism to evaluate the effectiveness of data-collection capacity."
Report: "Jamaica reports that it has adopted the Inter-American System of Uniform Drug Use Data".
Response: "There is no indication, however, in the country response that a formal mechanism has been adopted with the objective of evaluating the effectiveness of the country's data-collection capacity. CICAD encourages the country to create the formal mechanism to evaluate the effectiveness of data- collection capacity."
Recommendation: "Reiterate the recommendation from the First Evaluation Round on implementing a system to control the movement, including the verification of the destination, of export or re-export of firearms and ammunition."
Report: "Jamaica reports that an interagency committee was set up, comprising the Customs Department, of Shipping Association Agents, Port Authority and the Police, with the objective of discussing the implementation of this recommendation. The authentication of relevant documents and procedure requirements are still to be undertaken in order to complete the recommendation."
Response: "CICAD urges Jamaica to adopt more urgent steps, specifically in the area of ensuring mandatory full compliance by the entities involved in the issue of import/export licences, if possible by the end of 2004."
