04 Jul 2019

Kgatleng District coordinator in the Ministry of Youth Empowerment, Sport and Culture Development (MYSC) says drug abuse and trafficking of drugs are a source for concern in Botswana. 

Speaking during the commemoration of the International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking in Mochudi recently, Mr Kagiso Mapotu said drug abuse and illicit trafficking were indeed a local and international health concern and a threat to peace and stability. 

He said there was a broad spectrum of people involved both as perpetrators and victims across all the spectrums of the society. 

Mr Mapotu said drug abuse and illicit trafficking of drugs was seen by the international community as severely manifesting into more complex health concerns and crimes such as corruption, money laundering, human trafficking and terrorism. 

He said the theme: Health for Justice, Justice for Health resonates well with the objectives to raise awareness on the impact of drug abuse and trafficking of drugs. 

Furthermore, Mr Mapotu said the manifestation of the impact of such had in some instances been observed as having a direct relationship in fueling the instability that undermined development, peace and human rights. He said government spent a lot of money and other resources in caring for the victims of drug abuse as well as fighting the related crimes of illegal use of drugs and trafficking. 

Mr Mapotu said parents and relatives experienced psychosomatic pains because their loved ones were either mentally disturbed or had lost their lives due to the use of drugs. 

He said according to the last census, the population of Botswana was youth dominated at about 60 per cent, which exposed the country to more social ills as the youth were connected to the international community through various technological platforms. 

He said although technology had to be appreciated, it was sad that it had made the youth more susceptible to being used as drug mules and agents of crime. 

A representative from the Ministry of Health and Wellness - alcohol and substance division Ms Malebogo Matlhotlhora said government had put in place measures to try and control the social ills as they affected the country’s development. 

She said the National Alcohol Policy of 2010, Road Traffic Act of  2013, Liquor Act and Traditional Beer Regulations of 2011 are some strategies government came up with to regulate social ills. 

Ms Matlhotlhora said the ministry was eager to continue working hand in hand with those willing to help in the fight against social ills. 

Motivational speaker, Mr Boyson Mokone said parents did not have a close relationship with their children, hence most resort to drugs. 

He said he was a living testimony of his past life with drugs and was also willing to stand for the rights of both children and parents to tackle social ills. 

Mr Mokone said prayer on its own could not save anyone if not supplemented with the word and deeds in truth. He said the results of these social ills were painful, not only to the victims, but to the perpetrators’ loved ones, adding that those left behind were the ones that suffered the most. 

Mr Mokone said parents should be open to their children so they do not become victims of their parents’ not so good lives. 

Officer commanding - Narcotics, Mr Musa Oteng said the drug death toll was high and should be addressed by everyone since ‘we are all affected’. 

He said they had recorded 40 cases in the first half of 2019, which was higher than the 22 cases recorded in 2018. 

Mr Oteng said the youth were the most affected in these cases as some of the reported cases include junior and senior school pupils. 

He encouraged parents to report their children if they suspect anything so they could be saved from the perpetrators that want to destroy their lives. Ends