What the cocaine buys
(In tribute to the late columnist Allan Fenty, Stabroek News will be running some of his earlier columns in his regular Friday slot. This piece was taken from the September 24th, 1999 edition of Stabroek News)
After discussing it right here in ‘93 and 94, I’ll repeat these sentiments for a final time today, in this form. There is always cautious, mild trepidation from those close to me when I decide to discuss this issue - the thinking being that my style might arouse too much wrath in the wrong places.
However, I’ve been listening to those I regard as being in the know and, oh my, I’ve been seeing (alleged) proof of what drugs money can buy. You and I might be seeing the dramatic evidence too but we won’t be able to prove it in a court of law. Many who know and who can prove the power of drugs money won’t ever do so. That’s because they either benefit from the wealth and runnings themselves or they are afraid of being permanently silenced.
But just what does money from illegal drugs buy? What are the benefits from the local and international narco-trade? Forget the powerful, pompous Colombian drug lords who offered to write off that country’s national debt some years ago. Contemplate instead, the presence, activities and influence of the drugs-running Noveau Riche amongst us. At all levels! Consider the power of the drugs money to fashion the get-rich syndrome among our youth who are easily tempted to eschew an all-round education and opt for instant, illegal life-styles and wealth.
Examples of what can be acquired even as the heroin, LSD and crack wreak havoc among other young lives:
Like wealth honestly acquired from gold-mining, sugar or coconut-farming, the drugs can purchase the honesty and integrity of law-enforcement officers; it often compromises the principles of some lawyers; it buys the blind eye of the church and the more partisan media; it feeds the economic existence of some political parties whose financial supporters might be involved, no matter how successful the laundry or the front might be. In this little bitty town those who have to know really know, but the silence is as guaranteed as the life it buys on the street.
So it is easy to appreciate that cocaine earnings can undermine any country’s revered institutions and the very character of a nation. You see the huge buildings going-up, the nice church halls; the successful businesses and ‘entertainment centres’ (of arts and culture) and yes, the generous civic-minded donations to charities. Somewhere behind all that the ‘coke’ might be lurking. You can’t or won’t prove it, but often you feel its indirect presence.
Meanwhile, poor me. Don’t know. I can’t prove. Which mini-bus, which acquaintance is related to drugs? I still owe instalments, two department stores can testify. I don’t know marijuana from fine-leaf thyme, nor cocaine from eating-soda. My own vices are more damp or wet.
And an unfortunate footnote can be this: the vulnerability and temptations are so great that even our own children or relatives can succumb. Don’t you know advocates or media-people whose children have succumbed? To this evil?
Serious miscellaneous musings
1) Ban any Christmas advertisement `til, say midOctober!
2) A twelve-year old knew how to hang herself but not the Berbician fellow. He’s been charged for attempting to kill himself.
3) Forget Benny Hinn’s miracles a while. Check how many “prophets” we now have. Just who is a Christian/ Evangelical prophet?
4) Notice how the television advertisements for beer, stout and rum feature sexy young ladies? Who will eventually “use” the beverage?
5) I was impressed by the closed-circuit video monitor in the Private Sector Manager’s Office. I congratulated him for being security conscious. But he explained the customer-service ethic involved. He sees his entire staff and enterprise - the weaknesses and strengths. This is good “big-brother” technique. Employees co- operate. Could you imagine a Permanent Secretary trying that in his government ministry?
6) Was the Chronicle Tuesday report accurate? About the two lawyers in court? What would have happened in the old days?
7) Once again, Mr Hoyte is returning. What should I expect?
8) Is it true that one of his financial backers is really upset?
9) The energy around us, Lakshmi says, wars, hurricanes, earthquakes, deaths of high and low around us in Guyana.
10) Believe it! A Guyana Christmas annual is being planned!