PM Ramgoolam Green-Lights 5-Year Masterplan In Major Drug Crackdown

Prime Minister Dr Navin Ramgoolam has officially approved the National Drug Control Masterplan 2026–30, marking a significant escalation in the government’s offensive against narcotics. The strategy was ratified during the inaugural meeting of the National Drug Control Commission (NDCC) held on Thursday, 23 April.

Presided over by the Prime Minister, the high-level session served as the formal launch of a structured, long-term response to what Dr Ramgoolam described as a “national emergency.”

The new Masterplan is expected to be made public on government digital platforms in the coming days.

A Unified Front

The NDCC has been established as the central oversight body for the National Anti-Drug Council (NADC).

The commission’s heavyweight membership underscores the gravity of the mission, bringing together eleven cabinet ministers alongside Attorney General Gavin Glover, SC, and the Chief Commissioner of the Rodrigues Regional Assembly, Franceau Grandcourt.

Addressing the commission, Dr Ramgoolam stressed that the drug crisis has intensified in recent years, inflicting severe social, economic, and healthcare damage.

He argued that the era of relying solely on repressive measures is over, calling instead for a “multidimensional” and “modern” approach rooted in evidence and inter-institutional coordination.

Policy Reform and Consultations

The meeting also provided a platform for Kunal Naik, CEO of the NADC, to brief ministers on the progress of the Technical Working Group regarding National Cannabis Policy Reform.

While specific details remain under wraps, officials confirmed that “notable progress” has been made. A press conference is scheduled shortly to outline the specific recommendations of this reform.

Furthermore, the Commission discussed ongoing National Stakeholders Consultations, a move designed to ensure that future policies are grounded in the practical realities faced by those on the front lines of the crisis.

Implementation Phase

Nadia Peerun, Chairperson of the NADC, noted that the Prime Minister’s validation of the Masterplan sends a “strong signal” of political will.

With the strategic framework now approved, the responsibility shifts to the NADC to oversee its immediate implementation.

The government maintains that this coordinated strategy is a vital necessity, citing the alarming scale the drug trade has reached over the past decade.

The initiative aligns with the broader 2025–29 government programme, which identifies the eradication of the drug scourge as a top priority.

Source: Le Mauricien