Kudus To The BPS

Monitor Editor | Monday October 30, 2017 11:01

Undoubtedly there are some elderly citizens who abuse alcohol and illicit drugs but the problem seem to affect young people a lot more. It cannot be disputed that productivity and economic growth go hand in hand, and obviously an individual who abuses alcohol and drugs cannot be productive either as an employee or an entrepreneur. Consumption of illicit drugs and/or alcohol can lead to a lot of negative effects in relation to productivity. An individual who abuses alcohol and/or illicit drugs may have increased absences, which will lead to loss of productivity.

The individual ultimately may end up facing termination of employment, which will of course have a negative bearing on the individual’s welfare and that of their family. This habit can also lead to other serious consequences such as fatalities and serious injuries. People who abuse alcohol and drugs often have impaired judgement and poor decision making, which obviously will lead to painful consequences.

Opportunists who want to make a quick buck have resorted to peddling drugs, and shamelessly some of them target young school children. Recently the police launched a campaign to clean the streets and the campaign seems to be bearing fruits. The drug operation by the Botswana Police Service (BPS), which started about a month ago, has led to about 75 drug related arrests.

Botswana Television (Btv) evening news has become the talk of town, as most of the arrests are captured on the national television station. BPS is indeed doing a good job in fighting the drug problem in the country. Information from the BPS suggests that drugs enter the country through South African boarders from countries such as Swaziland and sometimes Mozambique.

There is absolutely no excuse for any responsible citizen to sell illicit drugs in the country. Some of the so-called drug dealers often argue that they are trying to feed their families. How do you regard yourself as a responsible citizen when you gain wealth from a substance that destroys the lives of other people? The BPS should be provided with more resources to fight drug dealers and the law should be reviewed to come up with stiffer penalties for those who deal in drugs.

Batswana deserve to enjoy the peace and tranquility of their country, hence the need for the fight against substance abuse to be intensified.  Citizens also have a responsibility to assist the police in the fight against substance abuse. Let us all be responsible citizens and report suspicious activities to the police. We also have a responsibility to meaningfully contribute towards a crime free Botswana.