Drug Policy: ReA Criticizes the NADC and Calls for a Clearer Strategy

Drug Policy: The Rezistans ek Alternativ (ReA) party questions the effectiveness of the National Agency for Drug Control (NADC) five months after its establishment and advocates for a more proactive approach to combat the drug crisis, while denying any criticism of the government.

A government partner, ReA strongly condemned the lack of significant progress from the NADC during a press conference held on Saturday, October 4. The party is now calling for a clearer and more coherent drug policy.

Member of Parliament Babita Thannoo, present at the press conference, dismissed any notion of tension with the government. According to her, these criticisms are part of a participatory democracy process. “Being able to voice one’s opinion creates space for discussions and debates to move forward,” she emphasized. The observations made were echoed by Michel Chiffonne, a party member and drug issues specialist who has collaborated with several NGOs. “We need a more proactive approach to tackle the drug crisis,” said the MP.

ReA aims to help advance the country on this issue. The party is also organizing a public debate on drugs on October 16 at the Port-Louis Town Hall, aiming to create a genuine space for participatory democracy.

Babita Thannoo explained that the party’s observations stem from both official statements regarding the NADC and the high expectations of the public. “The importance of this press conference was to emphasize the ministerial committee as an institution defining the policy to be implemented,” she noted. ReA takes collective responsibility by demanding that the committee act and define a clear drug policy. “This ministerial committee will greatly assist politically, as the drug issue is a political one, and political decisions are needed to determine the direction to take,” added the MP.

The Ravages of Drugs
Michel Chiffonne did not hold back during the conference. “Five months after the establishment of the NADC, things have not progressed well,” he stated. Meanwhile, synthetic drugs continue to spread and wreak havoc. According to him, the situation has a significant social and economic impact on the country. “It’s unacceptable that part of our youth finds themselves in a state of lethargy when they should be studying, working, or contributing to the economy,” he lamented.

The ReA member advocates for implementing proposals from NGOs and subcommittees, with a clear action plan. “We believe there needs to be a public debate with experts, education, and awareness campaigns to have a healthy and rational discussion on drug issues,” he supported. He also calls for dispassionate discussions based on expert opinions and international practices, while adapting solutions to the local context.

Unclear Policy
ReA members clarified that the presidency of the NADC, held by Sam Lauthan, is not in question. What they criticize is the agency’s policy, deemed unclear, even though its roadmap is outlined in the National Agency for Drug Control Act. Our attempts to contact the NADC CEO, Dr. Fayzal Sulliman, and the agency’s Chairman, have been unsuccessful.

This position from ReA surprises some observers, who question whether this government partner is caught between two stools. Reliable sources claim that the statements made at the press conference are unfounded, emphasizing that the NADC is still in the establishment phase. According to these sources, administrative procedures take time, as the agency is a government entity. As a new structure, everything needs to be set up — particularly staff recruitment. While ReA talks about an existence of five months, the CEO has only been in office for three months and does not yet have his entire administrative team in place.

Our contacts believe that the conference organizers would have benefited from consulting agency officials to better understand its structure, clearly defined in the NADC Act 2025. According to them, asserting that the ministerial committee does not meet or that no drug policy is established implicitly blames the Prime Minister, president of the National Drug Commission (NDC).

According to our sources, the NADC operates within a pyramid structure: subcommittees formulate recommendations that are conveyed to the Board, which acts or submits decisions to the NDC when they pertain to political matters. The top of the pyramid approves the decisions from the base, composed of civil society representatives (social workers, doctors, specialists) and NGOs active in prevention, treatment, rehabilitation, and reintegration.

Our sources add that the NADC will rely on the National Drug Control Master Plan 2025-2029, whose official launch by the Prime Minister is imminent. Each ministry should then adapt its actions based on this plan. The NADC, still in the structuring phase, has reportedly already begun fieldwork with NGOs and various entities, according to our information.

ReA Opens the Public Debate on Drugs
“It is essential to educate the population to move forward,” states Rezistans ek Alternativ (ReA), which is organizing its first public debate on Thursday, October 16, at 5 PM, at the Port-Louis municipal council. The event, open to NGOs and all individuals wishing to collectively reflect on the drug issue, aims to share international experiences and formulate concrete proposals for Mauritius.

“Without education and understanding of the subject, we risk going around in circles, never making progress,” emphasizes Michel Chiffonne. ReA acknowledges that it is unrealistic to believe in a total eradication of drugs but believes it is possible to improve control, reduce risks, and, most importantly, guide youth back onto a positive path. Special emphasis is placed on the fight against “the new plague called synthetic drugs,” a scourge that increasingly concerns field actors, according to Michel Chiffonne.

Decriminalization vs. Legalization
The decriminalization and legalization of cannabis will be addressed within the NADC Board. Discussions are planned among all stakeholders. The public and policymakers will then be informed of the conclusions. It is the National Drug Commission (NDC) that will indicate the direction to follow, our sources clarify. Decisions will be based on the results observed in countries that have opted for these approaches.

A Silent Plague Eroding Mauritian Youth
Synthetic drugs are silently devastating Mauritian society. Our photographer has traveled across various regions of the island, focusing his lens on the capital. The images he captured are chilling and testify to the havoc wreaked by these substances. We see young people with trembling legs wandering the streets, barely aware of their surroundings, or a motorcyclist slumped on his machine… The images are shocking!