Zambia: The Mayor of Chongwe Christopher Habeenzu has called on the Drug Enforcement Commission (DEC) to educate the students of the district. He urged the organization to organize sensitisation programmes on drug abuse to rural schools.
He observed the problem of drug abuse is becoming extremely difficult to deal with, especially for these communities. Accordingly, Mayor Habeenzu called on the experts to intervene.
Habeenzu said abuse of drugs especially alcohol among children is contributing to the number of school drop outs. He claimed that the situation should be addressed through various interventions such as holding talks with children.
The Mayor, Christopher Habeenzu made these remarks while officiating at a sensitisation programme on drug abuse. The event was organised by DEC at Chainda Secondary and Primary School grounds in Chongwe district.
He stated that a number of areas in Chongwe have been identified as hot spots where drugs are sold and abused by young people. The situation accordingly calls for concerted efforts by various stakeholders and DEC to ensure the areas are free from drugs.
Mayor Habeenzu indicated that government has prioritized child development as demonstrated through various child centered programmes being implemented across the country under various sectors.
“The implementation of the free education policy is one example of the major milestones that government has made to develop the lives of children in the country. However, if our children are dropping out of school because they are abusing drugs, it will be difficult to actualize the goal of implementing this policy,” Mr. Habeenzu said.
Meanwhile, DEC Senior Investigations Officer Dorothy Mulenga has urged the residents in the area who are addicted to drugs to contact the commission. They will be given the opportunity to access the necessary assistance required for them to quit drugs.
Mulenga revealed that DEC has a rehabilitation programme for those that are addicted to drugs which involves counselling and referrals of severe cases to Chainama Hills Mental Health Hospital.
Further Chainda Ward Councillor Cacius Mutanuka thanked DEC for conducting the sensitisation at the school. He is hopeful that the programme will go a long way in addressing the challenge of drug abuse.
He noted that the issue has resulted in many of them dropping out of school.
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