Substance abuse among young people in Namibia, harbinger for retrogression

To the Editor, Substance abuse has been described by the World Health Organization (WHO) as “the harmful or hazardous use of psychoactive substances, including alcohol and drugs” [1]. There has been a growing concern of substance abuse among the youth, especially, the growing abuse of marijuana in Namibia [2]. In an epidemiological review carried out in South Africa, the prevalence of illicit drugs’ use and drug abuse among adolescents was significant [3]. The level of youth empowerment, both within home and classrooms, will determine the progress of a nation. It is known that adolescents are prone to different vices while growing up. A nation that does not invest in the formal and informal developmental needs of its youth may have a bleak future. The youths of a nation are the future of the nation, jeopardizing their future through neglect of their needs may be a basis for the ruin of the future development plans of the nation. Namibian population is made up of about 50% youth i.e. those under the age of 29, warranting a very important input into this sector of the population [4]. It is estimated that in Namibia, a) Half of the children aged 11-16 are believed to be experimenting with alcohol; b) 4% of the children aged 12 smoke cigarettes daily, as well as 17% of the 13-year-olds and 20% of the 16-year-olds; c) 3% of the 12-year-olds use mandrax occasionally as well as 7% of the 15-year-olds; d) Cannabis (marijuana/dagga) is the most abused drug in Namibia, with about 10% of the 15-year-olds and 8% of youth between the ages 17 and 30, abusing the drug. Substance abuse remains a challenge in Namibia and the African continent as a whole (NAMPA, 2015). Substance abuse that starts at a very tender age can be attributed to parental or peer group influence. Life expectancy reduces when one indulges in drug abuse [5]. There has been a gradual reduction in the prevalence and incidence of HIV infection and HIV/AIDS, but from some studies, it is shown that education of the youth has not translated into a lifestyle change. Substance abuse is believed to be one of the drivers of new HIV infections.