The Apostolic Faith Mission (AFM) Youth of Namibia has embarked on a year-long campaign for 2024 aimed at educating and creating awareness among the youth about drug abuse. The event took place in the streets of Otjomuise, Windhoek.

The AFM Youth of Namibia launched the AFM Youth Against Drugs Campaign.

The national chairperson, Patrick Molutsi, highlighted the daily experience for urban youth, highlighting the alure of drugs and alcohol that often come with the risk of permanent harm.

The increasing use of drugs and alcohol, especially among teenagers, has become a serious concern for residents of Walvis Bay and Swakopmund in the Erongo Region.

This was shared during the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Gender Equality, Social Development, and Family Affairs consultations on gender-based violence and femicide in the towns.

Committee chairperson Gotthard Kasuto says consultations follow a petition in 2020 by the Shut It All Down Movement to Parliament seeking an end to sexual violence and femicide.

As the 2024 academic year approaches, the Director of Programmes and Quality Assurance at the Ministry of Education, Arts, and Culture, Ayesha Wentworth, is urging parents to talk to their children about the dangers of using harmful substances.

Drugs can reduce a child's ability to learn, cause them to even drop out of school, and disrupt their lives and those around them.

Wentworth says children should expect harsh consequences if found with drugs on the school grounds, whether through disciplinary procedures or even face suspension.

A social athlete and activist against the use of harmful drugs has called for a coordinated effort to stop drug abuse in Namibia.

Namibian Broadcasting Corporation (nbc) employee Martha Namhadi says the fight against drug abuse should be a collective one. Namhadi spoke to nbc News after participating in the 10-kilometre FNB/Seawork Marathon at Swakopmund. The seasonal marathon runner says rooting out drug abuse requires a collective effort from individuals, families, communities, and organisations.

The Inspector General of the Namibian Police is concerned over the increased use of drugs in the country.

Lieutenant General Joseph Shikongo says the most commonly used drugs in the country are cannabis, mandrax, heroin, meth, crack cocaine, and power.

He says Namibia was only a drug transit country, but today the country has become drug-consuming, which is worrisome.

The Inspector General of the Police, Lieutenant General Joseph Shikongo, says drug abuse in Namibia is a growing concern and is responsible for increased criminal activities happening in many communities.

The Inspector General of the Namibian Police says more than 4,000 inmates are awaiting trial for drug-related crimes.

Substance abuse is an enormous social problem in the country. Many young people are introduced to drugs through their peers.

A local Veterinarian in the Omaheke Region, Dr Punaa Kazapua has encouraged farmers to move away from the traditional way of handling animal medicine as this makes them less effective.

Dr Kazapua says that animal drugs are expensive and if the cold chain is not properly followed from retailers to livestock, it results in farmers spending more as the livestock health will not improve. 

Speaking at a farmer's information session at Tallismanus in the Otjombinde Constituency, Dr Kazapua says farmers should arm themselves with the correct handling of animal medication. 

The Erongo Police have confiscated drugs worth N$1.2 million from young people since the beginning of the year. 

Substance abuse is said to be an enormous social problem in the Erongo Region, with Swakopmund's Mondesa being the hotspot.

Since January, about 217 people were arrested of whom 98 are young people between the ages of 18 and 25.

The Erongo Regional Police Commander Nikolaus Kupembona in an interview with nbc News said young people's lives are at risk and has called on the church, schools, parents, and community to help fight the use of drugs.

A number of people were arrested after they were found in possession of drugs in Swakopmund, Erongo Region, during police operations.

All the suspects were arrested in the Mondesa suburb.

A 28-year-old Congolese woman with refugee status was detained in Tamariskia after she was found with seven bankies of crystal meth, 11 dosages of cocaine powder, and six kilograms of cannabis, all worth N$31,000.

Only a handful of people joined a protest against drugs and dealers in Walvis Bay, Erongo Region, despite the coastal town facing an uphill battle against drugs.

Landless People's Movement Councillor on the Walvis Bay Municipal Council, Ryan Gordon, who organised the protest, expressed his disappointment at the community.