Worried by the destruction of young lives due to drug abuse, the village Chief of Ha Polaki in Leribe district is leading a crusade against the menace, seeking parents’ involvement in protecting their children from the devastating impact of drugs.
The plea for parental involvement in the war against drug abuse was made at the emotional funeral of a 12-year-old boy who tragically took his own life.
In a passionate call to action, Chief Mahlomola Lepeli, of Ha Polaki village implored parents to unite in the fight against drugs, highlighting their devastating impact on young people and their families.
Amid the sombre atmosphere of the funeral of Tumelo Lebakeng, Chief Lepeli saw an opportunity to draw attention to the perils of drug abuse.
Addressing the bereaved family and mourners, he expressed his suspicion that drugs may have played a role in Tumelo’s tragic death, using the young boy’s untimely passing as a powerful and heart-breaking reminder of the danger posed addiction.
Before his death, Tumelo reportedly confided in his sister that he had ingested a poisonous substance, although his motive for taking such an action remained unknown.
Chief Lepeli stressed that parents had a pivotal role to play in the struggle against drug abuse and the recklessness it could lead to.
Parents, he emphasised, needed to be vigilant in protecting their children from the risks that they may encounter in their communities. Je said the safety of children ultimately rested on their shoulders.
Chief Lepeli cautioned that drug abuse was an insidious threat that could easily infiltrate families and destroy young lives if left unchecked. The responsibility for safeguarding children from this scourge, he insisted, began in the heart of every household.
“Engaging parents in the fight against drug abuse is crucial. By taking the battle to the home front, we can tackle the root of the problem. The young people who become addicted to drugs do not suddenly pop up on the streets, they come from homes and families and it is there that we must begin our fight.
“The greatest gift any parent can give to their children is not riches but the spirit of adventure, the virtue of integrity and the gift of courage. I urge parents to take up this mantle of responsibility with unwavering determination and instil these values in their children so that they may avoid the destructive path of addition,” Chief Lepeli noted.
He urged parents to be vigilant in monitoring their children’s movement and behaviours and act before it is too late.
“Let us equip them with the tools and knowledge they need to navigate life’s challenges without succumbing to the destructive lure of drugs.
“We can’t allow this scourge to erode the very foundation of our community, we must stand together against this threat and protect our children,” he said.
He noted he has already seen several young people fall victims to drug addiction, leading to dropouts from school, broken families and even deaths due to overdoses.
The Chief’s concerns are not unfounded, as drug abuse has become a growing problem in the country.
The World Health Organisation (WHO) reported that number of people who use drugs has risen to 292 million in 2022, a 20 percent increase over 10 years.
According to the organisation, cannabis remains the most widely used drug worldwide, with 228 million users, followed by opioids with 60 million users, amphetamines with 30 million users and cocaine with million users and ecstasy with 20 million users.
However, reports show that marijuana, methamphetamine, cocaine and alcohol are the commonly abused substances in Lesotho.
WHO outlines how the right to health is an internationally recognised human right that belongs to all being, regardless of a person’s drug use status or whether a person is imprisoned, detained or incarcerated. It applies equally to people who use drugs, their children, families and other people in their communities.
Chief Lepeli’s call for involvement of parents in the fight against drug abuse come barely a month after the Lesotho Schools Early Detection and Treatment of Addiction Programme pleaded with parliament to declare drug abuse a national crisis and establish a dedicated body to address the problem.
In a recent meeting with the parliamentary Social Cluster committee, the director of the Lesotho Schools Early Detection and Treatment of Addiction Programme, Teboho Bulane sounded the alarm over the country’s souring rates of drug abuse.
He warned that the country was at risk of falling short of the Sustainable Development Goal 3.5, which aims to reduce the harmful use of drugs by 2030.
Bulane also revealed the alarming findings of their school detention programs where they discovered that 68 percent of students from both primary and high school were either occasional or regular users of alcohol, cigarettes and cannabis.
These figures paint a bleak picture of the country’s youth and the widespread use of these harmful substances by youngers in schools, with 48 percent of them performing poorly in their academics.
He emphasised the urgent need for action to combat the rampant drug abuse among the country’s youth, stating: “The issue of drug abuse affecting children’s academic performance is a pressing concern that could have a detrimental effect on our country’s future. We must act now to address this problem before it undermines the education and development of our young people,” she said.
Noting the severe implications of unchecked drug abuse, Bulane urged the government to take swift and decisive action.
He called for the formal declaration of a national drug addiction crisis and the enactment of legislation to establish a National Addiction Service Centre (NASC), that would be dedicated to combating addiction and promoting recovery in the country.
With the country having no facility to treat substance addiction or admitting patients for drug addicts, Bulane said, the centre would function as a single state agency for substance abuse, responsible for regulating, licensing, monitoring, planning and funding substance abuse prevention, treatment and recovery support service.
He further warned that drug abuse is often responsible for increased crimes rates, health problems and even deaths in many communities.
Non-government organisations like the Anti-Drug Association of Lesotho (ADAAL) have joined forces with other stakeholders to educate young people and adults about substance use prevention among other issues.
In response to the high level of substance abuse by teenagers, youth and community members, the organisation focuses on raising awareness through a community-focused education intervention, to draw attention to the negative impact of substance abuse on people.
The organisation’s work comprises advocacy, prevention, community development, human rights promotion and research.
The founder and director of ADAAL, Mphonyane Mofokeng, indicated that drug poses a significant risk to both physical and mental health.
She said chronic drug use can lead to addiction, impaired cognitive function, deteriorating academic performance, strained relationships and even criminal activities.
Furthermore, she said, substance use can increase vulnerability to sexually transmitted infections including HIV/AIDS.
“Our aim is to discourage substance abuse by promoting the dangers of drugs and substance abuse as well as motivating for rehabilitation,” Mofokeng pointed out. Each year on June 26, Lesotho joins the global community in observing the International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking. The days is dedicated to raising awareness about the dangers of drug abuse and the urgent need to combat illicit trafficking.
