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Alcohol and Drugs abuse in Khomas Region

Alcohol and drug abuse has become a concerned and it is destroying the community in Khomas Region. I do feel that the combined efforts from Ministry of Health, Namibian Police, spiritual leaders, traditional and community leaders should come together and quickly tackle the community on this evil of substance abuse through an incorporated approach.

The current alcohol and drug abuse in the region has become a major public health distress. We commonly witness daily/weekly basis the efforts by which the Police is trying to confiscate drugs. The mostly people who are affected by this evil are young people who does not want to listen to their parents what their telling them about the dangerous of these substances.

According to the Minister of Health, Dr Kamwi on 25 Junes 2012 state that “The majority of us are aware of the impact of issues related to substance abuse. No doubt, alcohol and drug abuse are major contributory factors to domestic violence, crime, suicide, risky solutions and indecent behaviours such as rape.” (Retrieved from The Namibian). However, The Namibian (Newspaper), Sankwasa reported that there was a preliminary finding done by World Health Organization (WHO)on alcohol and drug abuse which reveals that alcohol abuse is on the increase in Namibia and Khomas Region is no exception, with medium and high-risk drinking more widespread among young people than elderly people. The alcohol selling business is growing at very high rate. The WHO estimated that there were about 2 billion people worldwide who consume alcohol and 76.3 million who may have diagnosable alcohol use problems.

The alcohol abuse is a threat among the region, for this reason it destroys family affairs, harm children's background and cause violent crime, vehicle accidents and abnormal sexual activities. The majority of our people who abuse alcohol and drugs think it is a way of enjoyment or lavishness without knowing that it is a risk factor that can results in cancers and mental disorders. Alcohol and drug users are frequently involved in sex offences. Alcohol abuses reduced reasoning role that may cause a woman to decide to go into sexual intercourse while it can be avoided. Moreover, persons under the influence of drugs and alcohol may involve in unsafe sexual behavior, like not using condoms and having sex with different partners.

On top of that alcohol and drug abuse can lead to short-term and long-term health problems. Men who drink have bigger risk of emerging cancer in the mouth, esophagus, liver, and colon. Both men and women can grow neurological problems including dementia, neuropathy, and stroke from chronic alcohol abuse. Psychiatric difficulties like sadness and nervousness are associated with long-term abuse of alcohol. According to ProjectKnow (2012), nearly 50 percent of people who use drugs and alcohol in the world have a mental health complaint. Regularly substance abuse is an effort to self-medicate.

The danger of these substances takes on communities to reduce the mushrooming of drinking outlets in the informal settlements especial in the city of Windhoek. The problem should not be, Is the Khomas Region a community of drunkards? But should rather be are we articulating an alcohol tactics that will successfully reduce alcohol linked devastation? The Ministry of Health and Social Service should come up with the policy that will regulate the use alcohol and drug abuses. It is my faith that the current draft alcohol policy within the Ministry of Health requires further redraft and need to be conversant with consistent data and should provide extensive contribution by all stakeholders, if it is to successfully address alcohol and drugs related harm.

Reference

Joel Akudhenga 212054015