19 Aug 2018

Botswana Police Service (BPS) is concerned about the rate at which drugs have found their way into the society, including even smaller settlements.

The revelation was made by Constable Richard Mantu, who is also the public reforms facilitator at Molepolole Police Station.

Addressing the public at a drugs and alcohol abuse campaign at Botlhapatlou recently, Constable Mantu indicated that initially, the most common drug used in the country was marijuana, but that now others such as mandrax and nyaope have joined in, especially in urban areas.

“Now we are faced with a challenge of battling against drug and alcohol abuse, because initially alcohol abuse was our main concern,” he said.

He said the abuse of the two greatly worried the police as most reports of murders and general delinquency emanate from either drug or alcohol abuse.

He also indicated that even tough other new drugs had also joined the illegal market, the most leading drug is still marijuana to the extent that there had also emerged small scale farmers in the country.

Constable Mantu said it was therefore up to the society to take a stand against drugs and alcohol abuse, especially that users even include students who are considered the future of the country.

“We have to launch the war from the household level because if we don’t stand up against such a challenge, then the future of our society is bleak,” he cautioned.

For his part, Mr Kgololo Moji, a principal registered nurse at Botlhapatlou clinic, also indicated that the Ministry of Health and Wellness was equally concerned about the rife drug and alcohol abuse in the country.

He said that this was more so that there were indications that drug and alcohol abuse related ills harm society more than diseases.

Such ills, Mr Moji said, include murder, road accidents, rape, divorce, spread of HIV/AIDS and general delinquency.

“Most of the time when such cases as rapes and murder are tried at the courts, perpetrators cite the fact that they were under influence (of drugs) as reasons for mitigation. So it is time that as a society, we introspect,” he said.

He also said that most youth often indicate that they are driven to drug and alcohol abuse by lack of employment.

He said they educate the public about the dangers of drug and alcohol abuse at clinics, but that it was fitting that time and again campaigns should be held to target a larger audience. 

In his welcome remarks, Kgosi Domkrag Omphitlhetse urged residents to make their health a priority and not shy away from visiting health facilities when they are not well.

Kgosi Omphitlhetse also appreciated the high attendance by men, especially that there are concerns that they never show interest in health matters.

The area councillor, Mr Lefoko Kegopotswe expressed hope that the campaign would increase awareness on the dangers of alcohol abuse, which he said was a concern in the village. ENDS