25 Mar 2015

Authorities of Bokspits, Rappelspan, Vaalhoek and Struizendam (BORAVAST) are worried by the rate of alcohol and drug abuse by the youth in their area.

In an interview recently, the authorities of these four villages expressed concern that youth in their respective areas were drowning themselves in alcohol.

Kgosi Issac Titus of Struizendam lamented that even though they were trying to do all they could to sensitise the youth about the dangers of abusing alcohol and drugs their efforts have not borne any positive outcomes. 

He said they even tried with workshops on alcohol and drug abuse but the situation has not improved .He pointed out that this leads to high drop-outs of youth from school including dismissals and morale decay as most of them no longer respect adults.

Kgosi Titus also revealed that most of the cases they are dealing with daily in their villages are drug related adding that in most instances these has led to domestic violence.

He went on to say that since most of the youth are unemployed, they end up colluding with their friends from the neighbouring South Africa to rustle livestock and sell it there just so that they can satisfy their craving of alcohol and dagga. 

Meanwhile Kgosi Serai Esterhuizen of Bokspits concurred that indeed alcohol and drugs are ravaging the lives of the youth of BORAVAST.

He pointed that un-regulated drinking hours from his village are a major concern. Kgosi Esterhuizen divulged that this normally leads to noise pollution in the village and prolonged drinking hours.

Furthermore he said since this scourge engulfed his village they have experienced moral decay as the youth now disrespects the elderly. He said Government should come up with a plan to arrest the situation before it is too late, pointing out that in other places drinking hours are regulated and drinking spots are also minimised.

Councilor of Bokspits/Struizendam Mr Gideon Martin also concurred with the authorities of the two villages that indeed alcohol and drug abuse is rife in their villages. He said maybe this is caused by joblessness that is common in their area among the affected group.

Mr Martin pointed out that the youth find solace in livestock theft and Ipelegeng but unfortunately they do not use the money they get from Ipelegeng constructively.

He called on parents to work with the authorities on the matter, saying most of them are not helping the situation. ENDS