26 Sep 2018

Francistown police have expressed concern about the escalating abuse of illegal and dangerous drugs in Botswana’s second city.

Sergeant Patrick Makoba of narcotics, flora and fauna investigations unit at Central Police Station in Francistown said the commonly used drugs were cat (Methcafenone) and Ecstasy.

Cat, which is a white or brownish crystal drug, was commonly used in bars, festivals, parties and clubs, observed Sergeant Makoba in an interview recently, adding that they have registered many cases of abuse of the drug.

He said Ecstasy came in the form of pills similar to panado or compral but decorated with logos of cars such as BMW, Toyota and Mercedes Benz amongst others.

The decorations, which are in different colours, he said, were deliberately designed to attract young people into using the drug.

He said Ecstasy was discovered in Botswana in the 90’s and had other names such as ‘the feel good drug, or ‘hug drug.’

Sergeant Makoba said Ecstasy was more dangerous as it was made from a combination of different drugs such as caffeine and heroin.

He further said the drugs were used to spike other people’s drinks because they were fragrance-free and tasteless, and could stay in the victim’s blood for three to six hours or even more, and that those whose drinks were spiked would not know what happened to them.

He urged people to stay away from strangers at bars, parties, concerts, clubs and to avoid leaving their open drinks unattended.

He also advised people to ask those they trust to take them home in the event they felt drowsy or lose control without any sound explanation.

Sergeant Makoba said it was important for the public to know the description of drugs to avoid falling victim of such.

He further observed that young people abused the drugs because of peer pressure. He said it was important for parents to understand and know their children so that they could be able to pick any unusual behaviour.

 He said Ecstasy and Cat may have different effects such as temperature rising, irregular heartbeat, talkativeness and sometimes too much sweating.

Sergeant Makoba said long term effects of the drugs include heart problems, kidney failure, addiction, mental disturbance, nerve damage and death.

He also said abusing drugs could cause crime such as rape and murder, robbery, violence, road accidents as well high risks of HIV infections and unprotected sex. Ends