Stakeholders warm against the use of drugs

By Mariama Faal

Stakeholders of drugs and child protection have seriously warmed the people in use of drugs, especially those under the age of 18. They said Gambia should be free drug zone in order to build a good nation where young people hold responsibilities for the development of our country.

These were revealed recently at a radio program called Ndewobi show at Senn FM by Noreyni Bayfall.

Lamin K. Jorbateh of The Gambia drug square explained that the involvement of young people into drug is a very bad attitude and as a country we hope for the young to grow and take the responsibilities of this country. “If we allow people taking drugs especially under age, they will be away of their responsibilities as a good citizens.”

“We have seen people using drugs become liabilities to the society, which we did not want the young people to remain like that. We want them to take charge of the country’s development because in any countries, young people play pivotal role in nation development,” he said.

Mr. Jorbateh stated that some people get into drugs without knowing the implications on both social and moral. He added that his office always go for sensitization campaigns to raise the awareness of the citizens, especially the young people.

He calls on the general public to support them in their work, saying they cannot do it along without the help of the parents at home.

Omar B Sonko of Child Welfare and Gender said that they want to see a fruitful young population in the future, saying “presently children under age, we want to protect them from using drugs because it’s not good to them health wisely. We are trying to protect them from drugs and our role is not only to take them to prison and prosecute them but to protect them to become responsible individuals.”

Banna Jatta, who is also from Child Welfare, lamented that they wish Gambia to be a free drugs country. 

She urges on the elders that normally give drugs to the young once to stop it, saying drug has very bad implications to elders, talk less of the children under the age of 18. 

“The young people should go to school and lean for their benefit in the long run, rather than being street criminals taking any forms of drugs,” she stated.