Former Independent Senator Rev Daniel Teelucksingh says if marijuana is legalised next year, there will be more sadness.
Speaking at the Susamachar Presbyterian Church on Christmas Day, Teelucksingh said too many people were facing depression.
“There is bitter weeping and sadness all across this land, from Icacos and Cedros to Mayaro Manzanilla, Sangre Grande, the east-west corridor, to Diego Martin, all across this land. The sound of bitter weeping, parents crying for their sons and daughters; children crying for their father or mother or siblings, “ Teelucksingh said.
Saying 500-plus people had been killed this year Teelucksingh said, “This pestilence is like a plague and it doesn’t seem to like we have the answer to all of this.”
He noted that no amount of Christmas hampers, bonuses, toys and gifts would console those who mourn.
“Do we fool ourselves and think these people who have died just like that everything will be alright, do you think they will be comforted?”
He noted that parents were weeping for their children enslaved by drugs.
“T&T is no longer a conduit for narcotics since many of our young men and women are now drug users. If you think this is a transhipment point and drugs come from South America and only passing through T&T, to go to Europe and North America, you made a mistake, some of the drugs are right here, “ Teelucksingh said.
He noted that there was a possibility that marijuana could be legalised next year.
“We are becoming one of the greatest sets of drug users.
“It is like a pipeline that is transporting these drugs but it is a pipeline with holes and some of these drugs drop off in San Fernando and Port-of-Spain and elsewhere.
Parents are actually crying because they have lost their children to drugs, “Teelucksingh said. He noted that during Christmas there is always the disgusting voices calling for rum.
“All year-round, bars are open and people are drinking like it is a different blend for Christmas. We drinking from January to December,” Teelucksingh said.
He noted that throughout this year, the Northern Caribbean region had been putting pressure in T&T for the legalisation of marijuana.
“ Yes, we are surrendering to that voice as everybody seems to say what happened to you people? What is wrong with us as we have not legalised cannabis as they have done, “ Teelucksingh said.
He added, “ I have a feeling we are going to get a new year gift, by next Christmas.
Next year the Christmas song will bring out the rum, brings out the pastelle and sorrel and don’t hide the weed.”
He said T&T had already experienced a terrifying earthquake and devastating floods.
“Is it nature’s voice appealing to T&T to set our moral life in order, “ Teelucksingh added.