26 Jun 2017

Member of Parliament for Ramotswa, Mr Samuel Rantuana says many young people are faced with complications caused by drugs and alcohol abuse.

During a march for free alcohol and substance abuse communities organised by Otse Community Home Based Care Trust on June 23, Mr Rantuana said it was important for the public to be aware of the consequences of substance abuse so as to free themselves from the alcohol habitude.

The 13-kilometre march, which started from Mogobane Kgotla to Otse Kgotla was also graced by the South East District commissioner, Mr Ian Tema.

Mr Rantuana said through the march, the Trust  was seeking funds to help build rehabilitation facilities for young people, who were trapped in alcohol addiction.

He urged parents who sell alcohol to young people to stop their act as they were destroying the future of innocent children.

“It is wrong for parents who make riches out of selling alcohol to school children as they are gambling with their future,” he said.

For his part, Mr Tema said the choice that one makes about their own life were in their own hands.

He said it was wise for young people to plan their future beforehand and learn consequences of every action they partake.

Mr Tema said parents should never get tired of disciplining their children when they were out of line.

“Children are normally out of line because they lack parental guidance. A disciplined child knows the precaution of doing wrong and right,” he said.

Otse Community Home Based Care Trust coordinator, Ms Agnes Nfila said a lot of young school children were trapped in circle of alcohol abuse due to peer pressure.

She explained that the match was part of the Break the Habit campaign, which seeks to discourage alcohol and drugs in schools and build free communities.

She said the project was funded by the Ministry of Health and Wellness to raise awareness about the dangers of alcohol in the life of a being.

Ms Nfila said they had many cases of children from junior level who indulged in alcohol. ENDS