By Wezi Tjaronda
WINDHOEK
Yesterday was International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking. As Namibia joined the rest of the world in marking the day, it is important to take stock of this trend, especially among children and the youth.
Namibia’s theme for the day was: “Do drugs/alcohol control your life/brain/body/school?”
The police say that drug-dealers are now shifting their focus to younger users, judging from the ages of offenders being brought before the country’s law enforcement agents.
Children as young as 10 years are taken to the police for either direct drug charges or for being in the company of drug-users.
The police say that to ensure long-term investments in the drug market, which is run on business principles, dealers want as many young people as possible hooked on drugs.
In addition, dealers are also employing the youth as pushers to sell their drugs. This is happening when the number of youths already using drugs is steadily increasing.
According to Detective Chief Inspector Barry de Klerk of the Drug Law Enforcement Unit, the problem of substance abuse among children is escalating on a yearly basis.
Although cannabis (dagga) is the most commonly-used drug, the trend nowadays is that more youths are being hooked on crack cocaine. In 2006, over 421??????’??