A high level team from the Organization of American States (OAS) Multilateral Evaluation Mechanism (MEM) will make an official visit to Antigua from 16th - 18th August 2005.

The team will be representing the Inter-American Drug Abuse Control Commission (CICAD), which is set up by the OAS to identify and provide technical & financial assistance to countries seeking to reduce the use of illicit drugs. CICAD also oversees the "Plan of Action" for the Implementation of the hemispheric Anti-Drug Strategy, in all thirty-four OAS countries.

Chairman of the National Drug Council (NDC), Mr. Clarence E Pilgrim, said "the objective of the MEM is directly to strengthen mutual confidence, dialogue and hemispheric cooperation in order to deal with the drug problem with greater efficacy."

Pilgrim further stated "It follows the progress of individual and collective efforts of all the countries participating in the mechanism, indicating both results achieved, as well as obstacles faced by the countries."

While on island, the team is expected to meet with senior government officials, in addition to meeting with officials from the law enforcement department, drug educators among others.

Minister of Housing, Culture & Social Transformation, the Hon. Hilson Baptiste, under whose portfolio the National Drug Council falls, said this visit by the officials is an indication that the Government is very serious about drug demand reduction.

Minister Baptiste further added that his ministry recognizes that preparation and planning is essential to fighting this multi-dimensional problem, and he will work tirelessly with social partners and international organizations until every drug pusher is removed from our society. (Ends)

For further information contact:

Collin B. Jno-Finn
Communications Officer
Ministry of Housing, Culture & Social Transformation
Tel: (268) 562-5698/771-4006