Samhir Ramen: "We Feel Like We're Losing the Battle Against Drugs"

Samhir Ramen, president of The Faith Association, has raised alarm over the impact of drug use on Mauritian society, particularly its direct repercussions on the social fabric. Young people are among the most affected. In an interview with ION News, Ramen expressed his concerns: "Too many young people fall victim to drugs. Road accidents involve drugged drivers. Lives are lost, and we feel like we are losing the battle against drugs."

In January alone, nearly 20 deaths on the roads were recorded, often linked to drug consumption. Ramen criticized the lack of concrete measures from the government. "We have faith in the new government team, but we need tangible improvements. We firmly believe that the government should consider legalizing cannabis, as the situation has become extremely critical with the rise of hard drugs, particularly ‘simik’,” he stated. This view resonates with some netizens who believe current approaches are showing their limits and are calling for a change in strategy.

The president of The Faith Association emphasized the limitations of associative action without a strengthened legal framework. "We need strong and concrete laws. The situation is so severe that the streets have become dangerous. At this point, it feels like a 'curfew', similar to what we had during Covid, would be necessary to ensure public safety," he affirmed. He also added that close collaboration between authorities and NGOs is essential. The situation now requires collective awareness and immediate concrete actions, he said.