Grenada: Drug situation including government efforts to fight drugs and whether government authorities are directly, or indirectly, involved in drugs (1998)
| Publisher | Canada: Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada |
| Author | Research Directorate, Immigration and Refugee Board, Canada |
| Publication Date | 1 November 1998 |
| Citation / Document Symbol | GRD30376.E |
| Cite as | Canada: Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada, Grenada: Drug situation including government efforts to fight drugs and whether government authorities are directly, or indirectly, involved in drugs (1998), 1 November 1998, GRD30376.E, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/3ae6ac7f2c.html [accessed 31 May 2023] |
| Disclaimer | This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States. |
A representative from the Caribbean Coordinating Mechanism of the United Nations Drug Control Program, stated in a 26 October 1998 telephone interview that domestic production of marijuana in Grenada is predominantly for local consumption. The representative stated that Grenada does have a drug problem but that relatively speaking it was not that bad and that it "did not threaten the security of the state." The representative indicated that cocaine use had stabilized and that the government was engaged in educational activities on drug use. This representative indicated that in none of the three areas of consumption, production, or the use of the country as a transit point was Grenada considered to be a problem.
A member of the National Board of the YWCA of Grenada elaborated on government activities in a 20 October 1998 telephone interview. The member stated that there is a drug problem in Grenada both in terms of consumption and trafficking. Yet, the member spoke positively about government efforts and said that it had helped to set up a Drug Avoidance Committee that was working with schools on education campaigns. The member said that the Ministry of Health was also involved with educational efforts and that the Prime Minister and his wife appeared on television in 1998 to speak against the use of drugs. Furthermore, the member stated that there is also a rehabilitation centre where addicts can go for treatment. When asked about possible government involvement in trafficking, or facilitation of such activities, the member said that it was "possible, but minimal."
A 27 January 1995 Grenada Today article on police destruction of confiscated marijuana stated that there were "fears that given the existing problems with the Royal Grenada Police Force (RGPF), it is possible that some of these drugs may end up on the street before long. A few police officers have been caught in the past trying to sell drugs to civilians." However, the representative of the Caribbean Coordinating Mechanism stated that while there likely is some corruption present, they would not characterize it as any worse than any other country and mentioned Canada and the United States as examples (26 Oct. 1998).
This Response was prepared after researching publicly accessible information currently available to the Research Directorate within time constraints. This Response is not, and does not purport to be, conclusive as to the merit of any particular claim to refugee status or asylum.
References
Grenada Today. 27 January 1995. "Police Destroy 940 Lbs Confiscated Marijuana." (JPRS-TDD-95-015-L 27 Jan. 1995/WNC).
National Board of the YWCA of Grenada. 20 October 1998. Telephone interview with member.
Caribbean Coordinating Mechanism of the United Nations Drug Control Program [Barbados]. 26 October 1998. Telephone interview with representative.
