Health Minister Shangula Sounds Alarm On Dangers Of Illegal Narcotics

By:Justicia Shipena
The presence of illegal narcotics and other substances in Namibia, according to health minister Kalumbi Shangula, is a major problem for the country.
Speaking at the inauguration of the National Drug Control Commission on Friday, Shangula said the statistics and data at hand show Namibia is no longer just a country where illegal substances are transported through, but that there is an increasing number of users of illicit drugs in the country.
“There is an increasing number of users of illicit drugs of different ages. Unfortunately, even children of a very young age have become users of such substances, leading to addiction and other negative consequences,” he said.
The Health Minister stated that the damage done by using illegal drugs, such as heroin and other drugs administered intravenously, is devastating to the users’ physical and mental health and may put them at risk for a number of serious illnesses like HIV/AIDS, hepatitis and kidney disease.
Therefore, Shangula recommended swift action to combat drug trafficking in order to protect all Namibians from the devastating and long-term consequences of illicit drug use.
“Drug trafficking is usually the first link in the chain of other forms of organised crime, leading to the perpetuation of poverty and inequality among the drug users while the criminals of organised crime enjoy their ill-gotten wealth,” he stressed.
The National Drug Control Commission, according to Shangula, will support the country’s resolution to intensify ongoing efforts to protect people and communities from the potential harm that is associated with the use, distribution and trade of illegal narcotics.
He said that any national developmental policy must be carefully planned and well communicated in order to accomplish its objectives.
“This National Drug Control Master Plan recognises the centrality of the good health of all people in Namibia as a prerequisite for national development. Without a healthy nation, both physically and mentally, our nation will not be able to develop.”
The issue of combating the issue of illicit drug usage must be regarded as a priority, Shangula expanded, noting that it should be carried out through strategies for both prevention and therapy.
The promotion of people’s safety and protection against criminals who prey on society’s most vulnerable members for their own gain is necessary in order to care for the health and wellness of the populace, he continued.
“This is why the Master Plan also speaks to the aspects of the law dealing with the penalties for those who traffic drugs.”
Shangula added that Namibia has the chance to reaffirm its political commitment to accomplishing the goals of the Ministerial Declaration under the United Nations Commission on Narcotic Drugs with the launch of the new commission.
Last month, the Namibian police seized drugs worth N$617,475.
According to the police, during that month 153 suspects were arrested, including 148 Namibians, three Zambian nationals, and an Angolan national and anothetr Congolese national.
The police seized 55,5kg of cannabis worth N$555,455, 396 Madrax tablets worth N$47,520 and 145 units of crack cocaine valued at N$14,500.
“The use of drugs has become so prevalent in our society and this is seriously threatening the future of many young Namibians simply because they are very vulnerable, not morally strong and thus lured into these criminal activities; so they are captured,”said Police spokesperson Kauna Shikwambi.
In this regard, the police has scheduled a two-day campaign in Otjiwarongo, where the Otjozondjupa Police joined by their Public Relations Division will enforce the drug laws as well as educate the nation on the dangers of drug trafficking and usage.