Rampant drug abuse: 116 teens arrested in 2023 :: Mmegi Online

About 116 teenagers aged between 10 to 19 years were arrested for drug use in 2023. The Minister of Defence and Security, Kagiso Mmusi, revealed this during the Anti-Drug publicity campaign held in Serowe recently. Mmusi said drug and substance abuse is the country’s growing problem and it is clear that more of the children and the youth are involved in the use of illicit drugs and psychotropic substances.

“There is a just cause, therefore, to raise a red flag and address this social ill in an endeavour to eliminate the demand and use of drugs particularly by our youth population. Our nation, known for its resilience and unity, is facing a silent but formidable enemy that threatens the wellbeing of our youth and the future of our society,” he said.

Mmusi stated that the increasing prevalence of illicit drug use is not just a statistic but it is a stark reality that demands everyone’s collective attention and immediate action. He said the statistics generated by the Botswana Police Service (BPS) based on the number of arrests of suspects further uncover the magnitude of the problem of drugs that is ravaging the nation. He further disclosed that the police recorded 1, 232 cases of drugs for the year 2023 and 1, 784 arrested people, of which 116 amongst them were aged 10 to 19-years-old.

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