Africa-Press – Botswana. While there is no one size fits all solution to combat drug abuse, community and family involvement can go a long way in addressing the situation, says Captive Eye Organisation Executive Director Mr Sledge Mothibi.
Speaking during the opening of Tents in the City, a camp activity of the CITY2CITY Campaign against drugs, HIV/AIDS and gender based violence in Gaborone on Wednesday, Mr Mothibi said combining different strategies was critical for effective anti-drug abuse effort.
He said the use and abuse of drugs posed a significant challenges on physical and mental health, adding that the abuse had often led to schizophrenia.
He said drug use had severe consequences on a person’s physical health and also affected users’ relationships, employment and overall quality of life.
Mr Mothibi highlighted that drugs had negative social consequences which affected families leading to strained relationships, neglect of responsibilities and financial difficulties.
He explained that communities might experience increased crime rates, strained healthcare systems and decreased overall wellbeing.
Furthermore, he said the use of drugs placed a substantial economic burden on health care systems, law enforcement, and social services.
He therefore called for strategies on public health initiatives, policy changes, education, access to treatment and support for affected individuals in an effort to combat drugs as they were the results of the social ills experienced in the country.
“It is a complex issue that necessitates a holistic and compassionate approach to help individuals lead healthier lives and minimise the broader societal impact,” he said.
Explaining the Tents in the city, Mr Mothibi said it came at the tail end of CITY2CITY campaign initiative aimed at raising awareness, combating and encouraging recovery from drugs, rehabilitation, HIV/AIDS and GBV prevention.
He also highlighted that the campaign was carried out in three phases; the endurance horse riding challenge from Francistown to Gaborone, strongman car pulling challenge and a week-long camping activity in Gaborone.
For her part, Botswana Police Officer, Special Constable at Broadhurst Police Station Ms Matshidiso Makhandlela encouraged Batswana to shun drugs as they perpetuated social ills.
“If Batswana refuse to buy drugs there will be no market,” she said.
Ms Makhandlela said they had recorded 268 cases of GBV, rape and or drugs between January and June.
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