23 Jun 2014

Blue Cross Botswana chairperson, Mr Dintlenyane Mpharitlhe has said they are mandated to fight alcohol and drug abuse as an affiliate of Blue Cross International. 



Speaking at a graduation ceremony of their first community volunteers in Maun on June 21, Mr Mpharitlhe said alcohol and drug addiction did not only affect the addict but the family members who lived with such a person. 



For his part, Mr Phenyo Sebonego from the Department of Public Health in the Ministry of Health said it was imperative for communities to have interventions that they could own and monitor.



Mr Sebonego said community mobilisation was instrumental in monitoring alcohol abuse because most young people indulge in alcohol even before the stipulated age of 18 years.



The Blue Cross Botswana International director Mr Alexander Kasongo said Blue Cross which has been operating in Gaborone for years has now moved to Maun.



Mr Kasongo said they also started an outreach programme in schools.

He commended the government for having a national alcohol policy, as some countries do not have, which he said showed commitment to address the challenge of alcohol abuse.



Mr Kasongo further said Blue Cross was ready to reduce alcohol consumption in Maun through their stakeholders, which included Women Against Rape (WAR) and Love Botswana.



He added that the local authorities have welcomed Blue Cross and acknowledged alcohol abuse as a problem in Maun. Ends