We condemn the abuse of drugs

Mmegi Editor | Monday September 8, 2025 15:50

We take this opportunity to condemn in the strongest terms the trail of destruction the habit-forming drugs continue to leave behind. At the memorial service of the fallen artist, Atasaone Molemogi, popularly known as ATI, this week, we learnt a lot that drugs were the worst enemies to the health of our promising artists to the extent that Copyright Society of Botswana (COSBOTS) has deliberately come up with a drug combating programme to empower the artists to recover from the debilitating effects of drugs as they have realised it was killing talent.

Now, it was even more disquieting when the COSBOTS president, Letlhogonolo Makwinja, revealed that some of the artists hit hard by the drugs were currently at the mental asylums at Sabrana and Jubilee hospitals, and other facilities. This is so depressing, to say the least. We have also learnt about the brutal truth from ATI’s father, William Molemogi, that his son was into drugs. He even called upon the authorities to consider naming a rehabilitation facility in his name. On a closer reflection, the man’s call mirrored deep-seated snags in our society. The nation has to unite and combat the scourge before more problems pile up.

As a nation, we need to tenaciously fight against the adversary that is obliterating our future just under our noses. We cannot afford to look the other way when the enemy is mercilessly eating everything in its wake. We should be each brother’s keeper and ensure that we tenaciously break the chain of supply and report the stubborn suppliers to the authorities.

I quickly reminisce about the words of someone this week who shared a painful account of a family that has decided to lock out a son from their main house, just because whenever he accesses the main house, he would find an opportunity to steal some household items to go and sell so that he can buy a supply of drugs. This is terrible, but that’s how drug addicts feed their gigantic appetite. Parents should not leave anything to chance and instead they should closely monitor the activities of their children, as they are the worst copycats ever, and they can detect the unbecoming behaviour at its earliest stage. This family has thrown their son into the garage so that he doesn’t lay his hands on more goods from the main house. This is so bad. And that’s how many families are managing the drug situation.

The police and the newly formed Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) have a lot in their hands to grapple with. They will also have to fight hard and be ruthless because the enemy, called habit-forming drugs, is on the loose. All sorts of hard drugs and others are reportedly in abundant supply, and they pose a serious menace to the nation. Just for once, can the nation come together and fight this menace as a unit? Those dealing illegally in drugs, watch out! You'd better quit or face the wrath of the law. We are coming for you with our pens and cameras!

Today’s thought

“It's not a war on drugs, it's a war on personal freedom”-Bill Hicks