On the day election results come out, Imran Dhanoo, a well-known figure in the domain of rehabilitation, answered our questions on what should be done to effectively combat drug-addiction in Mauritius.

■ The fight against drugs has been one of the major issues of these elections. Is this because drugs really are a major problem or is it simply a question of demagogy?

Imran Dhanoo:As social workers and even laymen know, the theme of drugs has always been used by different political parties during electoral campaigns. Even the Parti Malin aspires to resolve this problem. (laughter) Evidently, they use it as a weapon during the election period but after that it gets forgotten.

■ You mean, nothing has been done and nothing will be done?

Heroin and Subutex have been a major scourge since the 1980s with the arrival of brown sugar in Mauritius. I can’t say nothing has been done but to my mind, there has not been any strong political commitment on the part of the different governments to address this issue. The approach has been of a piecemeal nature.

■ What would this strong commitment you are suggesting involve?

Considering the deadly nature of heroin addiction, what we need is a ‘state of emergency’. Some politicians dared venture to say that once they were elected, the problem would be resolved in the twinkling of an eye. My response is that these were empty promises.

■ Why do you think there is no real willingness to combat this problem?

I don’t know. I can’t say whether some politicians have something to gain by not combating the problem or whether their hands are tied or they have vested interests.

■ The ‘Alliance de l’Avenir’ is in government again. Does it have a good track record in the fight against drugs?

The Alliance de L’Avenir did undertake two major actions which to my mind are laudable ways of addressing the problem of intravenous drug users: the methadone substitution therapy and the needle exchange programme.

■ What more do you think should be done, then?

Fighting drugs also means attacking the supply side. In spite of recurrent arrests by the ADSU, brown sugar and Subutex continue to enter our shores. I think the Alliance de l’Avenir needs to give a strong signal to the population that it means business in this domain.

There is a strong perception that Subutex peddlers are protected and have a fast track treatment. Nothing has been done to seize the assets of convicted drug traffickers. So, the fight has been ineffective.

■ What about NGOs? Are they getting the support they need?

The NGOs need to have more means to fight drugs. Treatment and rehab should be revisited. I would even suggest a coordinating body to supervise all action concerning drug-abuse. We did hear of a drug czar.

We need to put into practice all the recommendations of the national drug control master plan. We should not think that drug addiction is merely the lot of the so called minority segment of the population.

■ As someone working closely with drug users, what kind of things do you know which we don’t have any idea about?

Drug addiction is a disease and it spells hell for the addict himself and those in his close surroundings. Drug addicts should not be blamed and their addiction is but a symptom of a deeper malaise. One must not think that we are immune from it because of our background or creed. It is indeed big business for those who are involved in this deadly domain.

■ There have been a number of arrests related to drug smuggling. Are we making any headway in getting the big sharks or we are arresting only the small fish?

Indeed numerous arrests have been made but basically only mules get caught red-handed and the so called sharks manage to escape the net. At times, the small fish themselves are enticed by the fortune generated in this business and develop the appetite of a shark.

■ You are an advocate of capital punishment against drug dealers.Aren’t you afraid of killing the small peddlers and allowing the big dealers to get off scot-free?

I am an advocate of capital punishment for traffickers and not for users, or small peddlers. The focus of supply control strategies should aim at arresting the big traffickers.

■ In countries where capital punishment has been applied for drug trafficking, the figures do not show any substantial decrease. Do you think we should still forge ahead with applying it?

I have not verified the figures to know whether there has been any reduction in drug prevalence with the introduction of capital punishment but the fact remains that Mauritius cannot be compared with other countries. Heroin addiction is a major problem in Mauritius and so is HIV, which is mainly related to intravenous drug use. Traffickers and not consumers or peddlers need to get a severe penalty.

I think the time is ripe for Mauritius to conduct a referendum on this issue.

■ What about Human Rights?

I wonder whether those who defend human rights issues are clearly abreast of the human suffering and misery resulting from drug addiction. Would they have the same feelings and attitudes if their own children were caught in the trap of addiction or were involved in small-time trafficking? Drug addiction is a complex problem. A complex problem entails a multidisciplinary response with the participation of all the components of society coupled with a strong political will. And harsh punishment should be part and parcel of any approach.

Interview by Touria PRAYAG