By Mubanga Mubanga
Vice-President Mutale Nalumango says drug abuse thrives in an environment where there are limited employment opportunities.
Speaking during the stakeholders meeting which was convened to support the construction and operationalisation of the National Drug Rehabilitation and Development Center to be undertaken by the Drug Enforcement Commission (DEC) yesterday, Nalumango said the nation should not let the entire generation be consumed by the social ill of drug abuse.
“No country can afford to ignore the harsh and deeply personal toll of drug and substance abuse. It is a problem that manifests on the streets, in our schools, in prisons, in our hospitals and tragically, within our homes,” Nalumango said. “Addiction, as we know, is not a moral failing, it is a disease that thrives in an environment where hope is absent, employment opportunities are limited and mental health is inadequate.”
Nalumango said the government could not allow an entire generation to be consumed by this social ill and must respond, not with judgment, but with justice, and not with apathy but with action.
She said the nation should not give up on people, simply because they had taken a detour.
“The measure of any nation is not how it treats the strong, but how it lifts the weak. In our culture we speak often of ubuntu, that sacred principle that affirms our interconnectedness: l am because you are,” Nalumango said. “We cannot give up on people. We cannot give up on lives simply because they have taken a detour. Some of the most inspiring stories of leadership, innovation and resiliency have come from individuals who overcome substance abuse and emerged stronger.”
And Home Affairs and Internal Security minister Jack Mwiimbu said the problem of street kids known as junkies, seemed to be on an increase.
“As a result of this scenario, the problem is escalating. Almost every province in Zambia now has a problem of junkies. Who are these junkies? These junkies are our children; these junkies look forward to our support. They look forward to us to provide a solution, they look forward to us providing a future,” Mwiimbu said. “It is therefore our collective responsibility, as parents, as captains of industries, government officials, to collectively find a solution. The solution which we can provide.”
Several heads of public and private organisations attended the breakfast meeting.
The construction of the National Rehabilitation Center is estimated to cost K250,000,000,00.
