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‘We must pray for a cessation of drug-related activities’- Sandra Phillip-Hodge

Many of the murders and gun-related crimes in the Virgin Islands have been linked to the drug trade. Photo: VINO/File
Commentator, local author and 'prayer warrior' Sandra Phillip-Hodge, in a WhatsApp broadcast on June 15, 2023, challenged the people of the VI to pray specifically against the drug trade and its adverse effects on the Territory. Photo: WhatsaApp
Commentator, local author and 'prayer warrior' Sandra Phillip-Hodge, in a WhatsApp broadcast on June 15, 2023, challenged the people of the VI to pray specifically against the drug trade and its adverse effects on the Territory. Photo: WhatsaApp
Governor John J. Rankin, CMG recently said a substantial amount of the murders which take place in the territory are related to the problem of the illicit transport of drugs through the territory. Photo: VINO/File
Governor John J. Rankin, CMG recently said a substantial amount of the murders which take place in the territory are related to the problem of the illicit transport of drugs through the territory. Photo: VINO/File
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI- “We have seen where getting involved with hard drugs, which are illegal, has brought not only shame and disgrace on those who got caught up in it, but it is believed to be the leading cause of gun violence and death among the people, particularly young males. We must pray for a cessation of drug-related activities and the negative consequences associated with it.”

This is according to Commentator, local author and 'prayer warrior' Sandra Phillip-Hodge in a WhatsApp broadcast on June 15, 2023.

‘Spirit of greed & lust for money’

Phillip-Hodge said her heart has been moved to pray for a change in the Territory as regards to the subject of "hard drugs" and has invited others in the territory to do the same.

“It is understood that the driving force behind the temptation to get involved with facilitating the passage of illegal substances through the Territory is money. Those who are lured into the trap are those who take the bait of easy money, expecting to get rich overnight. But things don't always turn out as they expect. The spirit of greed and lust for money has been the detriment of many lives. Only God can help those who are enslaved by this ungodly spirit. We must pray for their deliverance.”

According to Phillip-Hodge, one drug-related death is one too many and that parents losing their sons, children losing their fathers, those who not going to an early grave, waste away productive years in prison because of chasing money behind hard drugs.

‘Pray specifically against the drug trade’- Phillip-Hodge

“Dear people, we must pray for the restoration of law and order. Pray that men and women will once more be satisfied with the proceeds of honest labour and use their skills and intelligence to improve their financial circumstances through legitimate and honest means.

Phillip-Hodge said she is challenging the people of the VI to pray specifically against the drug trade and its adverse effects on the Territory.

“Let us pray that the Territory will be free from this scourge that makes victims of our people. Causing pain and grief, and loss of relationships with loved ones. Depriving us of peace and security. Only God can help us. Only God can change the hearts and minds of those bent towards crime. We need the intervention of the Almighty in this matter.”

‘Substantial amount’ of murders related to drug trade- Governor

Governor John J. Rankin, CMG recently said a substantial amount of the murders which take place in the territory are related to the problem of the illicit transport of drugs through the territory.

“I don’t think this is talked about enough. The cocaine flow through this territory and the gangs which run the cocaine flow are directly linked to a number of the murders and shootings which have taken place,” Mr Rankin said during a press conference on June 9, 2023, to update the public on his Third Quarterly Review on the Implementation of the Commission of Inquiry (CoI) Recommendations.

17 Responses to “‘We must pray for a cessation of drug-related activities’- Sandra Phillip-Hodge”

  • Pahahaha (21/06/2023, 09:54) Like (14) Dislike (1) Reply
    Thoughts and prayers. Worked for thousands of years....just. need. To. Pray. Harder. Done.

    Next....world peace.
  • asura (21/06/2023, 09:56) Like (4) Dislike (7) Reply
    what is she talking about?
  • mad max (21/06/2023, 10:16) Like (26) Dislike (4) Reply
    Stop praying and start giving up the criminals in your families and neighbourhoods. It appears the criminals are known so time to start aiding in the clear up of the country.
  • onlooker (21/06/2023, 10:40) Like (8) Dislike (10) Reply
    You can have all the prayers in the world, it has never changed anything nor will it ever.
  • what (21/06/2023, 10:43) Like (10) Dislike (7) Reply
    Pray will make no difference
    Action will
  • HMMM (21/06/2023, 14:17) Like (5) Dislike (0) Reply
    to the people of the BVI, all these things will never get better because of the love of money. Until we are each satisfied with what we are able to work for and stop hanging our hats where we can't reach, the sad reality is, this mess will go on and on. The young people are so deeply involved because parents are no longer training their children, but brining them up to love wealth and material possesions. So things like name brand takes a higher priority that having a basic education and respecting teachers. The morals are dropping lower and lower with each given day. Those in higher positions in the society continue to be the lords of the drugs and trafficking while they entice the younger ones with large amount of case and golden cow chains that keep them in the drug bondage. Prayer is good, but if you praying for somebody who do not want change, then!!!
  • @asura (21/06/2023, 16:48) Like (4) Dislike (0) Reply
    ŴELL , PERHAPS I CAN SHED A LITTLE LIGHT HERE , HERE IS A FEW ( COCAINE IS HERE , GUNS IS HERE AND THOSE GOES HAND IN HAND , BUT IS BAD COMBINATION , BECAUSE COLDBLOODED EXECUTION STYLE MURDERS ARE LINKED TO THE FIRST TWO , JUST LIKE YOUTHS DISAPPEARING AND ITS ALSO LINKED TO THE THREE , CRACKHEADS ARE HERE TOO SND THAT IS A DANGEROUS SIDE EFFECTS OF THE USE OF COCAINE ( AKA ) THE WHITE LADY ???? NOW OPEN BOTH OF YOUR EYES , AND YOU WILL SEE THE REST FOR YOURSELF DuhhhhhHHHHH
  • WHAT!!!! (21/06/2023, 17:12) Like (1) Dislike (5) Reply
    Talking to your invisible man who lives in the sky are not going to chsnge anything.
  • BVI love (21/06/2023, 17:40) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    Calling on the Christian councel and all prayer warriors to get out and march against drug trafficking and violence. Come out and put your faith on the scene to stand up and stand against what is destroying this territory. How about organizing for June 30th?
  • smh (21/06/2023, 17:47) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    PRAY WILL HELP. ADDTIONALLY THE WITNESSES TO THESE CRIMES NEED TO COME FORWARD. WITHOUT TAKING CARE OF OUR COUNTRY AND SPEAKING UP AGAINST CRIMINALS THEN NTHING WILL CHANGE. STOP TALKING ABOUT POLITICS AND EVERYTHING ELSE AND START GIVING UP THE CRIMINALS..
  • I agree (21/06/2023, 18:12) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply
    Father God said where any two or more agree in touching amything it shall be done. So I too will be praying and I agree in the name of Jesus that this country's young people would get up and work with their hands for a legal payday and walk away from drugs and its scourge on our community. Hand in hand with that, we also have to encourage the young men in our families and neighbourhoods to go and look for a day job, and assist who we can, as the night workers will recruit them if we don't. God is able.
  • Rubber Duck (21/06/2023, 18:53) Like (0) Dislike (1) Reply
    And get me the lottery numbers while you are connected.
  • Tadow (21/06/2023, 19:28) Like (0) Dislike (1) Reply
    Madam Phillip-Hodge the financial institutions are not aid a lot of the people financial. So tell them where to go. The way I see it, is to get it by any means necessary.
  • Praying (21/06/2023, 20:46) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    Praying for a rework & assent to the cannabis licensing act 2020 bill. legalization 2023.

    Prohibition creates an environment for crime.

  • Tick tock (22/06/2023, 19:57) Like (3) Dislike (2) Reply
    Fast money and the lure of a majestic life will always corrupt soft power seeking excuses for men


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