INTERNATIONAL OLYMPIC ACADEMY 7th JOINT - IOA

THE PROBLEM OF ILLEGAL DRUGS IN ARUBA
Mr Ling WONG (ARU)
In recent years Aruba has been experiencing an increase in the use
and trafficking of illegal drugs. The government is facing a growing
problem that drug traffickers are using Aruba as a gateway to enter the
Dutch and European market with illegal drugs.
Measures have been taken to improve the control in the Aruban
international airport on passengers leaving for the Netherlands. More
and more persons are being caught with “bolitas” (small quantities in
plastic pouches) in their stomach or small packages hidden in their
luggage or on their body.
A great problem for the government is the elimination of the
supply. As Aruba is an island near the South American coast it is very
easy to land with small and fast boats specially designed for this kind
of operation. The government has hired a helicopter to patrol the
coastline of Aruba and also has instituted a special police force with
the same purpose. Foreign assistance is being received from the
United States Coast Guard who increased their presence in the
Caribbean waters in trying to intercept the drug boats.
A very disturbing accompanying phenomenon of the mentioned
development is the fact that the use on Aruba by the inhabitants also
has increased. Especially among the youth of Aruba this is a very
worrisome development. In every way, this negative development
should be tried to stop.
The judicial system works in a repressive way by implementing
punishment through the system of law enforcement. But there are also
other alternatives that work in a preventive way like information given
in school to make the youth conscious of the negative consequences of
drug abuse.
We as sports authorities have of course a very important tool in
our hands and that is the promotion of participation in sports in a
healthy way by our youth. If we can accomplish that more of our
youth will take to participating in sports we can influence them in the
way they see the whole matter of drug abuse. This is where we can
make a big difference in the general welfare of our country. If we are
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