Pubdate: Mon, 05 Jul 2004 Source: New Era (Namibia) Copyright: New Era 2004 Contact: http://www.newera.com.na/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/3380 Author: Engel Nawatiseb Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/youth.htm (Youth) MAYOR LEADS WAY IN DRUGS FIGHT THE Mayor of Tsumeb, Veueza Kasiringua, has commended the National Police Force for its professional conduct in busting drug trafficking rings that attempt to smuggle large consignments of drugs into the country. According to her, the police have clearly illustrated their commitment towards rooting out drug dealers, many of whom boast of foreign identities. The mayor further cautioned local citizens to stop collaborating with foreign drug lords, whose conduct is aimed at destroying the lives of young Namibians, a situation that could impact negatively on the economic growth of the country. "I would like to invite the community of Tsumeb to report drug traffickers to the police so that we stand united as one against crime. So far we have enumerated the government, the police force, the local community and the youth and we subsequently have many players in the task to combat crime; we can therefore not operate in isolation," she noted. Kasiringua pointed out that the Tsumeb municipality has donated a facility to the youth to encourage them to identify youth related programmes which should engage them in activities of a developmental nature, rather than indulging in drugs and alcohol abuse. She also appealed to the local police to act strictly against drug dealers in the town, and further encouraged them to emulate the example of their fellow law maintenance officers in other parts of the country, reportedly exercising extra efforts to fight drug dealers and users. Drug abuse has led to criminal activities such as theft, rape, women and children abuse, killings, housebreaking and drug trafficking, she said. The Police Regional District Commander, Chief Inspector Erastus Shesandi, recently announced that his staff would be enforced to monitor the activities of drug dealers in the town. He hinted that the police are soon to close down on the culprits, but would not divulge more information about their strategy. A source who spoke on condition of anonymity told New Era that he had set up a withdrawal programme for himself, which will enable him to get rid of the symptoms of drug abuse. "It is very difficult to stop smoking cannabis. I have recently discovered how long I have been destroying my life. I have even taught the youth to smoke dagga, I really feel sorry for them, but they must take my example -- I am giving up cannabis. There is a time for everything, a time to learn to smoke dagga and a time to end that tendency, once and for all," said the 45-year-old local source. The youth-scene at the town has reportedly been filled with more youth indulging in drug abuse instead of employing more efforts to secure jobs. "People from other towns are penetrating the job markets while our local unemployed youth are in a state of drugged mentalities. They are ever drugged, cannot make efforts to seek jobs, they stay in bushes like monkeys, simply to smoke dagga. And after smoking the stuff they just laugh at the advice you give them -- these people clearly show signs that they are living in a different world. Police, please save our children," an elderly source lamented. The Chief Social Worker in the Oshikoto Region, Manny Kandjii equally, expressed concern over the rising rate of drug and alcohol abuse amongst the youth at the town. Statistics have shown that it has become very costly for the government to rehabilitate drug addicts, who have to be admitted to rehabilitation centres at the expense of the state. "Millions of dollars of public money are swallowed up in the additional services that society has to provide to deal with damages caused by drug abuse. Intoxicating drug consumption leads to accidents, which place additional burdens on medical and social welfare programmes," said Kandjii. A Grade 11 student at the Etosha Secondary School at the town, Leiden Muonde, told New Era that their school has formed a peer pressure group to mobilise teenagers against the use and subsequent abuse of drugs and alcohol. "We will not judge or insult drug abusers but will preferably assist them to turn enemy against the societal evil. We are ready to accept any responsibility towards combating drugs," stressed Muonde. The Ministry of Health and Social Services offers counselling services to drug abusers and their families as rehabilitation through the Etegameno Rehabilitation Centre, which is situated outside Windhoek at a cost of N$600 per person. Reports say that inmates stay for a six-week programme under the supervision of a multi-professional team. - --- MAP posted-by: Richard Lake