24 Dec 2012

Adequate parental supervision has been found to be a deterrent to alcohol abuse among the youth. 

Alcohol and drug abuse have been found to occur most often between end of school days and during the school vacation among students.

As the schools have been closed; it is common that the bars and Chibuku depots are always filled to capacity by students who pretend to be workers. 

In Kanye what has been observed is that some bars are benefiting a lot from those student customers who visit them every day.

Some elders in the village are concerned about youngsters who visit bars daily; as they find them drunk and misbehaving since the schools are closed. 

Most of these youth are Standard Seven school leavers and secondary school students.

Mr Benny Selabo, a middle aged man who likes to visit one of the Chibuku depots in Kanye said ever since the schools vacation started, young guys are always drinking and fighting in front of elders. 

He said they are now scared to visit such watering holes to spend time with other elders.

Mr Raboko Madube, an elderly man of about 65 years, said they visit depots to take a few and discuss cattle and the ploughing season, but they are disturbed by these small guys.  

One of the youngsters who refused to reveal his name said there are no entertainment places in Kanye where they can gather to share ideas about the future and assist each other with studies. 

He said some of their elder brothers buy beer and cigarettes for them.  

Teens that drink heavily tend to complete fewer years of education compared to those who do not drink; they are more likely to engage in sexual activity, have unprotected sex, have sex with a stranger, or become victims of sexual assault, while participation in extracurricular activities has been identified as one of the factors preventing use of alcohol in this age group. ENDS