The rapid rise of drug and substance abuse within our region and across the nation remains one of the most troubling social challenges of our time.
Despite sustained public discourse and recent contributions, including my own article on the subject, the persistence and expansion of this crisis compel continued engagement.
Silence, fatigue, or complacency in the face of such a destructive phenomenon would be both irresponsible and dangerous.
The reality is stark: drug and substance abuse, particularly among young people, is escalating at an alarming rate and threatens the social, economic, and moral fabric of our nation.
Young people represent the backbone of any nation’s future. They are the custodians of tomorrow’s leadership, innovation, and productivity.
Yet today, a growing number of them are being trapped in the vicious cycle of drug dependency.
This situation is not merely worrisome; it is a national emergency.
Across communities, schools, and households, stories abound of promising youths who have abandoned their education, withdrawn from productive social life, and surrendered their ambitions to the grip of drugs and alcohol.
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Some have dropped out of school entirely, while others refuse to proceed with their education, squandering opportunities painstakingly created by their parents and guardians through years of sacrifice.
The consequences of drug and substance abuse among young people extend far beyond the individual.
Educational institutions suffer declining completion rates, families endure emotional and financial strain, and communities experience increased insecurity.
Most disturbingly, the rise in violent crime, including murder and assault, has increasingly been linked to alcohol and drug intoxication.
Lives are being lost not only to addiction itself but also to the reckless behaviour it fuels.
This grim reality underscores the urgency of addressing the problem with seriousness, coordination, and resolve.
At the heart of this crisis lies a complex web of contributing factors.
Unemployment, peer pressure, easy access to illicit substances, weak enforcement of existing laws, and a lack of sustained community education all play a role.
For many young people, drugs become an escape from frustration, hopelessness, and social pressure.
However, what begins as experimentation often degenerates into addiction, crime, mental health disorders, and, in extreme cases, premature death.
Addressing this challenge, therefore, requires a coordinated, multi-sectoral approach.
No single institution can solve this problem in isolation.
Families, schools, religious institutions, community leaders, civil society, and government must work together in a united front.
Prevention must be prioritised through early education, life-skills training, mentorship programs, and open conversations about the dangers of drugs and alcohol.
Young people need not only warnings but also hope — hope in the form of employment opportunities, recreational facilities, vocational training, and platforms that allow them to channel their energy into productive pursuits.
Equally important is the role of law enforcement.
While prevention and rehabilitation are essential, there must be zero tolerance for those who profit from the destruction of young lives.
Drug dealers are not merely criminals, but they are predators who exploit vulnerability for personal gain.
It is, therefore, my firm view that individuals involved in drug trafficking and distribution must be decisively arrested and brought to justice.
Law enforcement agencies must rise to the occasion, intensify surveillance, dismantle drug networks, and ensure that justice prevails without fear or favour.
Selective enforcement or half-hearted operations only embolden offenders and deepen public mistrust.
Furthermore, the justice system must complement enforcement with rehabilitation.
Young people already trapped in addiction should not be discarded but supported through accessible rehabilitation and reintegration programs.
Addiction is a health and social issue as much as it is a legal one.
A balanced approach, firm on crime, compassionate on recovery, offers the best chance of restoring lives and preventing relapse.
The media and opinion leaders also play a critical role.
Responsible reporting, sustained advocacy, and community engagement can help shift social norms that currently glamorise alcohol and drug use.
Society must collectively condemn substance abuse, not normalise it.
Celebrating sobriety, discipline, and positive role models can help reshape attitudes and aspirations among the youth.
In conclusion, the rise of drug and substance abuse among young people is not a distant or abstract problem: it is here, it is real, and it is destroying lives daily.
The cost of inaction is simply too high, and if left unchecked, this crisis will continue to erode our education system, fuel crime, destabilise families, and rob the nation of its future leaders. This is the moment for decisive action.
We must speak relentlessly about this issue, act courageously against drug dealers, strengthen law enforcement, invest in prevention and rehabilitation, and restore hope to our young people.
A nation that protects its youth, protects its future.
History will judge us not by our awareness of the problem, but by the seriousness and sincerity of our response to it.
The time to act is now — collectively, decisively, and without compromise.
*Clever Marisa (PhD) is a social scientist and public health practitioner. The views expressed here are his own and do not necessarily reflect the views of his affiliated institution or any organisation.
