Rampant drug abuse: 116 teens arrested in 2023
About 116 teenagers aged between 10 to 19 years were arrested for drug use in 2023. The Minister of Defence and Security, Kagiso Mmusi, revealed this during the Anti-Drug publicity campaign held in Serowe recently. Mmusi said drug and substance abuse is the country’s growing problem and it is clear that more of the children and the youth are involved in the use of illicit drugs and psychotropic substances.
“There is a just cause, therefore, to raise a red flag and address this social ill in an endeavour to eliminate the demand and use of drugs particularly by our youth population. Our nation, known for its resilience and unity, is facing a silent but formidable enemy that threatens the wellbeing of our youth and the future of our society,” he said.
Mmusi stated that the increasing prevalence of illicit drug use is not just a statistic but it is a stark reality that demands everyone’s collective attention and immediate action. He said the statistics generated by the Botswana Police Service (BPS) based on the number of arrests of suspects further uncover the magnitude of the problem of drugs that is ravaging the nation. He further disclosed that the police recorded 1, 232 cases of drugs for the year 2023 and 1, 784 arrested people, of which 116 amongst them were aged 10 to 19-years-old.
“Around the same period, 23 cases of drugs were recorded in Serowe and out of those cases 19 involved persons of ages 10 to 39 years thus translating to 83%. Before today’s event, my team had build-up activities for two weeks around Serowe, targeting school children, out-of-school youth, parents and teachers where we shared messages and had interactive discussions on the dangers of drugs. I am happy to report that young people in Serowe have made a commitment to fight drugs,” Mmusi said.
He stated that the deterioration of the youth’s behaviour continues to increase at an alarming rate mainly due to indulgence in drugs. However, Mmusi applauded efforts and commitments by the First Lady, Neo Masisi, who together with other several stakeholders, embarked on a mission to resist some of the social ills troubling the society. The Defence and Security minister added that the First Lady continues to echo her abhorrence of the abuse of children in whatever form under her tagline, “E seng mo ngwaneng”.
“Several other efforts from other stakeholders such as dikgosi, churches, health care workers, the public service and the general community, have also been noticed. And we stand in praise for these efforts. Together we embark on a journey towards awareness, education and collaborative solutions,” Mmusi said. He said as the country continues to witness a surge in drug-related incidents and the alarming rise in substance abuse, it is crucial for the country to confront the issue head-on. He added that the young people who are the future leaders of the nation are falling victim to the devastating consequence of addiction.
The minister stated that families are being torn apart, communities are suffering, and the very essence of the country’s social harmony is at stake. “Deteriorating mental health and peer pressure leading vulnerable teenagers to indulge in drug abuse and become addicts are some of the major concerns we face. Drugs destroy lives. The world declared a war on drugs. Today, after decades of failing to adequately control drug consumption, an even graver problem has emerged, violent drug traffickers have taken the industry hostage and will stop at nothing to preserve their power,” Mmusi said.
Furthermore, Mmusi stated that the government has instituted dozens of programmes to dismantle the illicit drug industry, but they have seen only marginal success. He said the 2023 World Drug Report shows that the number of people who used drugs in the world in the year 2021 stood at 296 million people, a whooping increase of 23% over the last 10 years. “The same Report indicates that 27% of people under the age of 25-years-old were in treatment for drug use in Africa during the same year. Peace, justice and human rights, which should be the birthright of all, remain out of reach for far too many. The statistics on children and the youth under treatment for drug use in Africa open a window for us to appreciate a daunting reality that faces all nations,” he said. Mmusi said even the President, Mokgweetsi Masisi, alluded during The State of the Nation Address (SONA) that government is concerned about the excessive use of habit-forming substances by the youthful population stating that the social and health impact of this scourge poses a threat. Mmusi further stated that the continued moral decay in communities continues to escalate at an alarming rate and not only the youth are arrested for drug offences exclusively, but they continue to engage in other criminal activities due to the higher prevalence of drug use. “Bagaetsho, Botswana deserves the best. As we gather here today, it’s crucial to recognise that raising awareness about this pandemic is not about assigning blame, but rather fostering understanding and empathy. Parents, let us protect our children. Bogwanaka, you are the future leaders, take a firm stand against this scourge and say NO TO DRUGS,” he said.
Mmusi further stated that Botswana is highly committed in protecting its people regardless of status and by committing to arm itself against the raging war of illicit drug trafficking and use. He pointed out that the nation continues to put in place robust legislative and policy measures in an effort to combat this rage. “Botswana has enacted the Illicit Traffic in Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act in 2018. The Act also established the Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) under the Defence ministry, which is mandated to combat and eliminate the illicit production and supply of, demand for and traffic in narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances that pose a serious threat to the health and welfare of human beings and adversely affects the economic, cultural and political foundations of society,” he said. Mmusi said the escalating use of illicit drugs is not just a challenge but also a call to action; a plea for change that echoes the very heart of the society. “As the country stands at the crossroads, we must unite with unwavering resolve, recognising that the future of the society hinges on our collective effort. Together we can break the chains of addiction, dispel the shadows of despair and pave the way to a brighter future. It requires commitment from each and every one of us, as individuals, as families and as a nation. Let us choose a path of compassion, education and support,” Mmusi said. Moreover, Mmusi pleaded with members of the community to choose a path of compassion, education and support by fostering an environment where the youth can flourish without succumbing to the temptations of illicit substances. Meanwhile, dagga has been pointed out as the most used drug in Botswana, followed by methcathinone and cocaine.