Africa-Press – Botswana. Botswana may soon have more stringent laws against dealing in drugs and possession, with the November Parliament expected to discuss the issue.
Assistant Minister for State President, Mr Dumizweni Mthimkhulu said Friday, when officiating at an anti-drug and substance use event here, that the Presidential Commission on Review of the Constitution reported that Batswana wanted heavy sentences, including execution, imposed on drug dealers.
He encouraged communities to report drug dealers to the police to prevent further proliferation of drugs. Mr Mthimkhulu asked parents and families to support those who were grappling with drug addiction.
An ex-drug addict Mr Tumelo Sengawane, called on those using drugs to seek help before it was too late.
He said his use of drugs led to him committing offences, which caused him to lose opportunities, money and peace of mind. “When you’re under the influence of drugs, you become aggressive.
In my case I was charged with attempted murder,” he said. He urged young people to ask for help, seek spiritual guidance and focus on their ambitions, to be able fight the desire for drugs.
For his part, Gaborone Bonnington South MP, Mr Christian Greef said they were worried about the presence of drugs in schools, whose true scale of distribution was yet to be known.
He raised concern that some police officers were part of drug cartels and tipped off drug lords about planned investigations, as well as gave them names of informants.
The MP pleaded with parents to take care of children and know who their friends were, adding that some children were used as distributors.
The Gaborone Bonnington South 10km anti-drug and substance abuse walk attracted pupils, teachers, the Botswana Police Service, Botswana Defence Force, Botswana Telecommunications Corporation and others.
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