21 Aug 2019

The escalating rate of alcohol consumption and drug abuse in the Central District’s village of Motshegaletau has the local kgosi very worried.

In an interview with BOPA this week, Kgosi Mogotsi Mosweu said the far reaching implications of alcohol and substance abuse in Botswana should not be underestimated.

The easy availability of alcohol, social acceptance of drinking, parental laxity, money and freedom had worsened the situation, he said.

Kgosi Mosweu said Motshegaletau youth and elders wasted their lives and time on drugs and alcohol which destroyed their future.

He urged the youth to refrain from abusing alcohol and drugs and concentrate on building better future for themselves.

Families and society at large, he said, bore the brunt of aggressive behaviour, property damage, accidents, theft and deaths as a perpetrated by youths under the influence of alcohol and other substances.

Kgosi Mosweu stated that this year alone, the village had lost seven people who were stabbed at shebeens and bars.

“In addition, inconsistent condom use, poor adherence to medication, gender based violence, long term hospitalisation and blindness are some of the consequences associated with alcohol abuse,” he said.

He said some people sold drugs to pupils as a result not only destroying their future but that of the country as children were tomorrow’s leaders.

Kgosi said the most preferred alcoholic beverages were chibuku and other home brewed concoctions, some of them  illegal.

Meanwhile, Kgosi Mosweu said also of great concern was stock theft in the village.   

Thabala’s Kgosi Abel Kgaboyarona shared the same sentiments and encouraged parents to guide their children adding that concerted efforts of all concerned were necessary for moulding children.

Kgosi Kgaboyarona said  children’s continued indulgence in alcohol and drugs as well as unruly behaviour reversed the country’s achievements.

He said alcohol consumption and drug use led to ill health and vowed to mete out severe punishment on drug peddlers.

The excessive intake of alcohol, he said, was directly responsible for acts of violence and bad behaviour in Thabala.

“There is also lack of parental control and lack of respect for authority, which lead to a total collapse of the social structure,” he noted. ENDS