KEETMANSHOOP – The //Kharas region has reported a sharp increase in cases involving the possession of illegal drugs.
According to acting //Kharas crime investigations coordinator chief inspector Theodore Kotungondo, the police have confiscated cannabis, mandrax tablets and illicit cigarettes worth N$85 000 during arrests over the period of 1 December 2020 until last week.
Cases reported ranged from cultivating home-grown cannabis plants to the possession and dealing in cannabis and ‘skank’, a compressed form of cannabis, mixed with other harmful substances. In what can be described as the biggest catch during the period under review, a 24-year-old man was arrested on a charge of dealing with 1 095 grams of cannabis with a street value of N$54 750 in the Tseiblaagte suburb of Keetmanshoop on 8 December 2020.
A staff member within the drug enforcement unit in Keetmanshoop, however, raised concern that the public is not doing their part fully in combatting drug abuse, possession and dealing.
“They (community) are not reporting cases concerning these crimes in all instances, as only a small part of residents are fully cooperating with law enforcement agencies,’’ he claimed.
The source attributed factors like poverty, unemployment and also the Covid-19 pandemic are forcing ordinary citizens now to deal in drugs as a means of survival.
“Nowadays, if they have a little money and can make a quick buck from selling cannabis, they will rather take the risk to provide food on the table,’’ the police officer added.
He also added the restrictions enforced due to the Covid-19 pandemic have also made it difficult for the unit to continue with its drug awareness programmes in the community, schools and correctional facility, among others.
Shaun Whittaker, a clinical psychologist, argued substance abuse is an ongoing and old global dilemma with different dimensions, but that too much emphasis is placed on individual blaming.
“The macro factors leading to this are the consequences of Covid-19, which make people frustrated and stressful, resulting in the mental health crisis wide experienced,’’ he said.
He added the drug dilemma is not genetic to Namibia but rather one facing the whole world.
“It is all about survival for those sections of the community struggling with poverty, unemployment and landlessness; these people are getting desperate and end up either dealing in or abusing drugs,’’ he said.
According to Whittaker, others are quick to blame individuals, instead of looking into a global solution to combat drug abuse.
“Authorities should gradually move away from short-term solutions like constantly blaming and punishing perpetrators, but rather break down these addictions on a longer-term by establishing more rehabilitation centres,’’ he said.
Citing the government of Mexico as an example, Whittaker explained all proceeds confiscated from illegal drug dealings in that country are fully utilised to build rehabilitation centres and provide counselling and treatment free of charge to those addicted to drugs as an effective way of addressing the challenges emanating.
The psychologist believes as an effective solution, more rehabilitation centres should be established, and the socio-economic downfall should be repaired as a matter of urgency.
- sklukowski@nepc.com.na