Browne: We need to get rid of the drug culture

At least one person in the legal profession is sounding his voice on the drug culture and its impact on this country.

On Monday at the Magistrate’s Court, Acting Senior Magistrate Browne said “We have to get rid of this and the only way to do this is to impose punitive sentences”.

On that day, more than 15 prisoners were sitting on the bench for offences of illegal drug possession. The Magistrate dished out financial fines ranging from $150 to $1500 after hearing numerous guilty pleas.

Browne clearly outlined that his court holds no tolerance for drugs of any kind and any person brought before the court will be prosecuted in accordance to the law.

Magistrate Browne said “The drug business must be cut, this must stop, it is destroying St Vincent and the Grenadines.”{{more}}

Browne’s concern shifted to the youths, which he identified as the main ones to suffer from all of the illegal crimes. “These drugs are smashing up the young minds and we definitely need to rectify this problem immediately,” added Browne.

Browne pointed out that most persons coming to court for drug offences think because of the quantity of drugs they are charged with that they would be fined accordingly. “Any person found guilty of a drug charge no matter how small a quantity it is, is liable to a financial penalty of $100,000 if found guilty,” said Browne.