The Bahamas is in a national security crisis that’s growing - and the country’s longstanding drug and gang war has only exacerbated the problem

Drug Gangs At War
By IANTHIA SMITH



The country is in a national security crisis, according to the Chairman of the National Youth Council.

In fact, Pastor Dave Burrows said he is not sure if there is an end in sight.

"I think we have a national security crisis that’s growing," he said yesterday while appearing as a guest on Love 97’s daily talk show "Issues of the Day" with host Wendall Jones.

"I don’t see a solution in sight. I see us working in different avenues to try and contain it, but I don’t see a solution in sight."

With 66 homicides already on the books for 2010 and a spate of armed robberies, shootings, stabbings and drug busts still posing a problem, authorities are constantly seeking to allay fears with the reminder that the situation is under control.

But many Bahamians are inclined to agree with Pastor Burrows.

Pastor Burrows has worked tirelessly for years with the country’s youth in a bid to save many of them from the world of drugs, crime and murder at time.

The Bahamas Christian Council once called for the National Youth Service Restorative Programme for Boys to be expanded to include a cross-section of Bahamian youth.

But the programme has since been scrapped.

According to police officials, of the 76 males murdered in 2009, 25 of the victims were under the age of 25.

Fifty-seven males have been murdered so far this year. Police said of this figure, 21 of the victims were under the age of 25.

Echoing sentiments recently expressed by noted psychiatrist Dr. David Allen, Pastor Burrows believes the country’s longstanding drug and gang war has only exacerbated the problem.

"You have a lot of drug retaliation and the incentive to kill in the drug business is higher than in any other business," he said.

But while Pastor Burrows believes the country’s national security is being threatened by the criminal element, he does not place the blame squarely at the government’s feet.

"Basically, in order for society to change, values need to change. You can give a guy a job, but if he has the wrong value system he would still rob people," he said.

"You can develop all kinds of programmes, but if on the inside, people are corrupt or their pursuit is corrupt and they are engrained in negative pursuits, no matter where you place them you will probably still end up with the same results and I don’t see a lot of [change] when it comes to changing the value system. I think our value system is deteriorating rather than getting better."

September 14th, 2010