More funding needed for Customs, Propst says

Division of Customs personnel remain the lowest-paid government employees and the department needs more funding for it to continue its campaign against illegal drugs in the CNMI, particularly methamphetamine or “ice.”

Rep. Edwin K. Propst (Ind-Saipan) said he met with officials of the Division of Customs and Department of Public Safety last week to discuss what the two agencies’ need in their ongoing fight against illegal drugs.

He acknowledged that funding has always been a concern for the two departments, particularly Customs.

“Customs [staff] are the lowest-paid among government employees. We will try to help them be at a level with the police and pay them adequately, considering that they are at the frontline,” Propst said.

He said there currently no estimates as to how widespread “ice” is, but the DPS and Customs agree that the problem is “staggering.”

“We see high school students, some as young as 12 to 13 years old being sold ‘ice.’ The problem has become very serious,” Propst said.

As far as legislation is concerned, a proposal is now being drafted for a bill to address selling “ice” to minors, he said.

Sen. Sixto Igisomar (R-Saipan) said he is in the process of finalizing a campaign to further combat the proliferation of “ice.”

The lawmaker said it seems to be easy for the distributor, drug dealer, or trafficker to get “ice” to the user.

Children are accessing the drugs and the problem is getting out of hand as indicated by a lot of crimes that are linked to “ice,” Igisomar said.

He said it is his intent to “suppress” or “block” this “direct access” between the dealer and the user through an education campaign and outreach programs to parents and children.

The campaign will involve a “drug court” and rehabilitation centers as well as the Department of Public Safety and the Division of Customs on the enforcement side.

A drug task force, which might require funding, is also being eyed.

Igisomar particularly noted that a drug court has already been endorsed and is only awaiting the necessary funding for it to be established.

He said the campaign will work in such a way that the drug court will work with the rehabilitation center to prevent users from going back to using drugs.

Propst said he fully supports the creation of the drug court.

“In the war against ‘ice,’ it is good to note that lawmakers are united,” Propst said.