31 Jul 2022

 Illicit drug and substance use are prevalent among young people in Maun despite public education campaigns meant  to help them understand the risks of drug abuse.

Detective Sergeant Thulaganyo Lebakeng from Narcotics, Fauna and Flora Unit in Maun aired the complaint during an alcohol and drug abuse sensitisation workshop that ACHAP organised in collaboration with the Ngami District Health Management Team (DHMT) and Matamo Men Society Group at Boyei ward recently.

She said the police stop and search operations usually recorded worrying numbers of illicit drug possessions among the youth.

Males, she said, were more into selling the drugs while female were users. 

Sergeant Lebakeng said the most commonly used drug was marijuana. She also noted that the use of Methcathinone, commonly known as ‘CAT’ was also worrisome.

Last year, she said they registered 51 cases of marijuana possession and nine of Methcathinone as compared to 2020, when they recorded 43 cases of marijuana and 10 cases of Methcathinone possession.

Sergeant Lebakeng also shared that some adults, especially men, were involved in trafficking of drugs, adding that all races were involved in the abuse.

With regard to cultivation of marijuana, she said the offence was rare as mostly offenders planted only 2-5 seedlings, making the offence rare. 

She cited that the last recorded incident was when the culprit planted 500 seedlings of marijuana in a backyard.

Concerning charges for those found in possession of drugs, she explained that possession of less than 60 grams of marijuana was liable to a fine not exceeding P20 000 or to a imprisonment not exceeding three years or both.

For more than 60 grams, the person shall be liable to a fine not exceeding P500 000 or to imprisonment not exceeding 10 years or both.

Sergeant Lebakeng further said if a person committed an offence of trafficking, they would be liable to a fine not exceeding P500 000 or to imprisonment not exceeding 25 years or both.

She also pointed out that Narcotics, Fauna and Flora Unit did not only arrest offenders, but also provide  rehabilitation services to addicts. 

The unit, she said, worked hand in hand with Women Against Rape and Maun Counselling Centre. 

“We do some follow ups to ensure there is improvement and recovery,” she said.

Sergeant Lebakeng appealed to the community to join forces with them to curb this menace to society. 

She expressed concern that members of the community were failing the struggle  as they were reluctant to report suspicious incidents for fear of exposure.

For her part, Boyei village development committee chairperson, Ms Onneile Motswakgosing said alcohol and drug abuse were rife in their area and the situation was exacerbated by the proliferation of alcohol outlets.

 This, she said had resulted in some children abandoning school due to drug abuse despite efforts to engage parents and children to understand the risk of such a vice. 

Some parents, she said, were frustrating their efforts as they failed to reprimand children.

“Some parents see nothing wrong with children’s involvement in drugs. 

The earlier young people start using drugs, the greater their chances of continuing to use them and becoming addicted later in life,” she added.

A member of Matamo Men Society Group, Mr Fredericks Jackson said alcohol and drug use at an early age was a concern due to its negative effects on the health, wellbeing and development of young people.

He urged parents to join forces with their organisation and the law enforcement agencies to fight crime in their area. 

Meanwhile, Matamo Men Society Group aims to come up with ways to fight social ills such as gender-based violence, alcohol abuse and criminal activities. ENDS