Drug abuse is not isolated to first world, civilized nations. Drug abuse is a problem in every part of the world. Africa is no different.
The rate at which Namibians are now consuming drugs is alarming to the extent that it is no longer just a convenient transit point for drugs but has graduated into an illicit drugs consumption point.
The country's rising profile as an international route for drug trafficking has changed, as there has been a rise in the consumption of hard drugs in the country.
For years, Namibia was viewed as just a transit country for drug traffickers, that is, drug cartels took advantage of porous borders and a young and experienced law enforcement agency to move their drugs to points from which they could be shipped to neighboring countries.
But in the last few years, Namibia has been reclassified by many as a consumer country because of the introduction of serious drugs like cocaine and mandrax.
The urge to become quickly rich was a big reason why. People are promised big money. We hereby warn the communities to be wary of becoming unwitting drug mules.
Any nation being used by drug barons as a drug transit route has the potential of becoming an illicit drug consuming country. Illicit drugs threaten the security of every nation and we call on the communities to collaborate with the police in apprehending these criminals.
On the increase in the number of Namibians consuming drugs. Drug abuse cuts across age, sex and socio-economic status. Most hard drug users were exposed to the drugs between the ages of 13 and 19 when they were still in secondary school.
The sharp rise of drug smuggling all over the world did not avoid Namibia. The Namibian authorities are doing all they can to combat this evil, but we cannot succeed in this without the active involvement of the community.
Concerted efforts by communities and law enforcement agencies are the only effective way against drug use and trafficking.
Exact statistics on the problem are difficult to come by, as the country does not have sufficient drug addiction treatment services. Possession or sale of drugs is a felony and users are naturally reluctant to expose themselves to criminal charges. This means a great deal may be hidden from view.
Anyway – just goes to show, drug abuse is a global problem.