Botswana Police Service launched an anti-drug and gender violence campaign, calling on community members to join the fight against substance abuse.
Speaking at the Anti-Drugs and Gender Based Violence (GBV) campaign in Lobatse on Friday, Officer Commanding No.4 Police District, Senior Superintendent Sarah Gabathuse, noted that it was important to involve the community in the fight against illicit drugs and substance abuse as the issue needed a multifaceted approach by all.
Furthermore, Gabathuse called on the youth in the area to refrain from using drugs as they were hazardous to one’s life and wellbeing.
Welcoming the participants at the campaign, Peleng Customary Court President Kgosi Tebogo Kemoabe applauded the Botswana Police Service (BPS) for their efforts in addressing GBV, drugs & substance abuse in the area.
She reiterated that drugs and substance abuse had the potential to destroy the lives of the youth who are expected to be leaders of tomorrow.
In addition, Kgosi Kemoabe called on parents to refrain from giving their children a lot of money unaccounted for, which they may use to buy drugs & alcohol. She also advised them always to know the whereabouts of their children.
When presenting on Drugs and Law, Sub Inspector Fitlhanang Kalako of Narcotics, Fauna and Flora Investigation Unit stated that illicit drugs were a transnational crime. Adding that substances are being transported from one country to another.
Inspecter Kalako advised the participants to be always on the lookout for suspicious tradings and to report them to the police.
A Psychiatric Nurse at Sbrana Psychiatric Hospital Tuelo Magodi highlighted that the hospital and other similar facilities were currently overwhelmed by cases of young people as a result of the use of drugs. He urged parents to monitor their children for any signs of drug indulgence closely.
Moreover, he mentioned that their child’s behavioural change is also the way to know whether their child is indulging in such activities or not. The reason why the world is growing worse is our attempt to live by bread alone, forsaking the Word of God.