19 Nov 2017

Government is committed to fighting the use of illicit drugs in the country, says Minister of Infrastructure and Housing Development.  

Responding to a question in parliament on behalf of Minster of Defence, Justice and Security, Mr Nonofo Molefhi said the Ministry of Defence, Justice and Security can only respond to the question in as far  as it refers to illicit drugs, otherwise the regulation of drugs and other related substances is the portfolio responsibility of the ministry of health and wellness.

He said there are certain strategies in place aimed at fighting drug abuse which include public awareness campaigns and school outreach programmes, raids on known illicit drug dealers, use of informers as well as strategic searches at points of entry borders and veterinary gates and main routes.

Mr Molefi said sniffer dogs are also deployed at ports of entry and joint operations with law enforcement agencies locally and internationally are also used to fight the use of illicit drugs.

Further, he said government provides budget for fighting all kinds of crime and allocations are not specific to types of crime, adding that the fight against the use of illicit drugs is also extended to Phakalane and Gaborone West constituency.

Gaborone North MP, Mr Haskins Nkaingwa had asked the minister to explain what government was doing to fight drug abuse in the country and how much was budgeted for such exercises.

Mr Nkaingwa also requested to know the projects in place to combat drug prevalence in areas like Phakalane in Gaborone north constituency. BOPA