30 Jan 2014

The marketing and advertising of alcohol as well as drugs leads to peer pressure, drug abuse and under-age drinking, according to Kgalagadi Breweries Limited (KBL) corporate affairs manager, Mr Mokoro Ketsitlile

Speaking at a youth workshop on prevention of alcohol abuse among the youth in Maun recently, Mr Ketsitlile said more education was needed on alcohol and drug abuse as it took time to change behavior and peoples’ mind sets.

Mr Ketsitlile said alcohol and drug dealers, together with bar owners had to take full responsibility of what they sold and to whom they sold to. He said even if alcohol prizes went up, if parents and the youth did not take action against alcohol abuse, things would remain the same.

He further said the community had to acknowledge that alcohol and drug abuse is a major problem amongst the youth and they have to address it well in time. He said more workshops have to be arranged to educate the youth about the bad results of alcohol abuse such as rape, teenage pregnancy, emotional and health abuse and sexually transmitted infections (STIs).

Mr Ketsitlile encouraged the youth not to take bad advice from their peers as is mostly the case, but should heed their parents’ advice. The District No 5 Officer Commanding, Senior Superintendent Chabaesele Kesupetswe added that the community and individuals have to give a helping hand to the police through preaching about the bad outcomes and dangers of alcohol abuse.

He said that the use of alcohol and alcohol abuse drives many people into making bad decisions and encouraged the youth to stay away from alcohol as they are the future leaders of the country. Delivering words of wisdom, the founder of Gates of Heaven Network Church, Prophet Thato Elias said the youth stage is the most active phase of life, filled with many opportunities, pleasures, being overwhelmed by decisions and confusion.

t is therefore, important for youth to be vigilant and disregard things that can lead them astray such as alcohol. ENDS