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 Drug abuse, contrary
to popular thinking
is not just about
the misuse of
harmful drugs. It is
actually the mode of
consumption of a
particular drug
substance that
defines its place in
the society. Misuse
of any kind of
substance will
surely attract
detrimental
consequences for the
user.
A handful of them,
of course, have the
influence of
rendering societies
degraded if they are
allowed
indiscriminate
usage. The youth,
the cream of every
nation, are
constantly at risk
in such situations.
Under the influence
of drug abuse, the
youth folk of a
society do not only
lose focus, but
become extremely
prone to all sorts
of dangers that only
put the entire
country under
constant threat.
The gravity of the
situations in many
war-torn countries
cannot be detached
from the role
potentially harmful
drug abuse has to
play. This makes it
all the more
important that we
take a strong stand
against drug
proliferation in the
Gambia.
Last week's
simultaneous and
well coordinated
destruction of loads
of drugs, apparently
confiscated in
various operations
around the country
by our gallant
security agencies,
demonstrates the
popularity of these
drugs.
Cannabis is one of
the most widely
abused drugs. It is
not only used by the
young people, as is
often portrayed by
society; it is also
used by the elderly
ones, amid a complex
chain of smuggling.
And this explains
the reason why it
always filters
through our
seemingly porous
borders. But it is
important to note
that while the
elderly few that
consume it can do so
in a responsible
manner, the majority
of the young that
use it are mostly at
the mercy of luck.
Put the risk to the
nation aside. Even
the health dangers
drug abuse poses for
the user costs not
only they,
themselves, but
their family
members, their loved
ones, and the nation
at large.
Unfortunately, all
sorts of conspiracy
theories have been
linked with the
usage of illicit
drugs. Even though
there are no
evidence of genuine
explanations
pointing at these,
ignorance, on the
side of the youths
who often use them,
makes it all the
more difficult to
tackle the problem.
This is what all
stakeholders should
be considering in
our efforts to wipe
out the menace it
causes.
The security forces
must be commended
for their continued
uncompromising
stance toward the
issue. We do hope
that this line of
action of theirs
will continue.
Source: The Menace of Drug Abuse
The Daily Observer
(Banjul)
1 July 2008
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