During a Boys to Men seminar held over the weekend in Windhoek, a pressing issue discussed was the concerning involvement of youth in drugs and substance abuse.
The seminar shed light on how this problem has not only hindered their personal and professional growth but has also made them susceptible to exploitation by drug lords.
A recent study on substance uses in Namibia by the health ministry found that 53% of youth aged 13-30 use alcohol. The ministry states that substance abuse contributes to problems like the spread of disease, including HIV/AIDS, crime and prostitution.
There seems to be limited resources to deal with the prevention of alcohol and drug use in the country.
Janingapara Kahorongo (19) said he was exposed to weed/cannabis while attending school in Otjiwarongo.
“It was addictive in the beginning, but I want to tell young people that it's not worth it and with the right motivation, one can stop,” said Kahorongo.
He had access to the substance through friends but stopped using it when he was in the 10th grade.
“What made me stop is when my mother found out and I didn’t want to see that disappointment and the family started getting concerned, especially when I was seen with others. The insinuation is that you are going to smoke. I got tired of that and being looked at that way as it portrays a bad image of me,” said the R.I.K Technical College student.
Kahorongo stated that he was an athlete before using drugs and when he started using, he abandoned that and solely concentrated on smoking, trying his level best to hide it from the parents and other important people in his life.
“I couldn’t run anymore, became short of breath from light work and even small walks. After leaving drugs, I started playing football,” said the left-winger of Madiba Football Club. The seminar, aimed at empowering young men to navigate the challenges of adulthood, delved into the detrimental effects of drug and substance abuse on the youth. It was observed that this issue has resulted in young men lagging in their work and personal lives compared to their female counterparts.
A current cannabis user Mbitjita Ketji admits that drugs are addictive, but he is cutting down on it. “It was bad in the beginning; I used to do it all the time - in the morning when I wake up, in the afternoon and evening,” said the 21-year-old who is employed in the mining industry.
He added that he constantly has access to the plant through his friends but doesn’t use his earnings to buy the drugs.
But the end goal is to eventually stop consuming it as it hinders growth and progress.
- psiririka@nepc.com.na