04 Mar 2015

Alcohol and substance abuse at the country’s highest learning institution, University of Botswana is reportedly a problem among students.

Thus the UB Alcohol and Substance Abuse committee is working diligently to come up with measures to alleviate the situation.

The UB Careers and Counselling Centre on Tuesday March 3 held a consultative forum aimed to dialogue with the internal stakeholders and the Ministry of Health about alcohol and drug situation at the institution.

Speaking at the consultative forum, Careers and Counselling Director, Dr Lucky Odirile said the concern about alcohol and substance abuse prompted the formation of UB Alcohol and Substance Abuse committee which dealt with issues pertaining to the topic.

She said the main objective of the forum was to consult with stakeholders about the extent of alcohol and substance abuse at UB and establish the extent of collaborative efforts to curb the situation.

Peer Counsellor at UB, Ms Gorata Keitseope, from her perspective of alcohol and substance situation at the institution, cited peer pressure as the most common factor that landed many students into the life style.

She said the situation had become problematic as alcohol and substance usage was now a norm at the University of Botswana, which many did not want to be left out or wanted to fit in.

She also noted that idle time at UB also had an impact in the situation, where students were not always in class because of the way their timetables were designed.

Clubs such as Society against HIV and AIDS (SAHA) are also on their feet to raise awareness about the dangers of alcohol and substance abuse.

SAHA representative, Ms Sally Tjivasera said alcohol constituted much to Sexual Transmitted Infections; hence the club to sensitize people about such issues.

She said they usually engaged resident assistants and block representatives and talk about issues pertaining to alcohol and substance abuse as well as HIV and AIDS.

Ms Tjivasera also noted that they had collaborations with various stakeholders such as BOSASNET and the Ministry of Health, among others. ENDS