24 Oct 2022

Botswana has experienced a steep increase in drug and substance abuse over the past few years.

This has resulted in an increase in incidents of mental illness and depression.

It is against this background that the founder of Mabaila Foundation, Mr Tshepang Mabaila compares drugs and alcohol addiction to a cancer ravaging the society.

“Our country is infested with drugs,” said Mr Mabaila, when giving a keynote address during the 2022 Lobatse Wheels for Wellness campaign on Saturday.

Even more worrisome is that authorities do not know how the drugs found way into Botswana.

Mr Mabaila noted that his foundation had handled many cases of young people addicted to drugs, and that they had   placed some in a rehabilitation programme.

However, he regretted that some relapsed after the rehabilitation process.

Mr Mabaila also urged the community, non-governmental organisations and social clubs to create a friendly atmosphere where addiction issues could be collectively addressed.

He said alcohol and drug addiction incapacitated victims so much that they were incapable of doing anything productive as they were perpetually not in a good mental state.

He also noted that depression could lead to suicide and many other issues.

“If we can tackle this issue of mental health together, we can be able to develop our community and our town,” he said.

Lobatse Wheels for Wellness campaign programme coordinator, Ms Omphemetse Mmolai said the objective of the event was to sensitise the community about health issues and road safety.

She said the annual event, which started in 2018, aimed to revive the relationship between stakeholders and government in addressing societal issues.

“It seems government is on one side and we are on the other side as the community,” she said.

Among other activities, various government departments such as roads, District Health Management Team and Botswana Police Service erected stalls at the event.

Community members also had the opportunity to test for non-communicable diseases and to get sensitised about other social ills.

Ms Mmolai said the objective was to promote behavioural change amongst young people.

The event was organised in collaboration with Peleng Kicks social club in partnership with Penguins, Dikakapa and Mafia social clubs.

Woodhall ward councillor, Mr Thebe Baile thanked the Lobatse Wheels for Wellness team for organising the event.

He urged Lobatse residents to drink alcohol responsibly, noting that abuse could lead to health complications such as non-

communicable diseases. ENDS