Dear Editor,
It is heartbreaking to read the news on the use of illegal drugs among our children. Minister Ramjattan said that we are losing the battle, but I think that it is more like we are losing the battle for our families. Much, much more needs to be done to ensure that families are more resilient – economically and socially. Families are under all sorts of pressures. Our children are under all sorts of pressures.
The drug trade is big business; therefore as law enforcement curtails exports of illegal drugs, it is obvious that those in the trade will become more aggressive in exploring local markets. It is the same with any business as the external markets contract, more emphasis is placed on local markets. The local markets now include our schools and universities.
Last week the press reported that the HIV/AIDS disease is increasing among our adolescent population, we are now able to see the linkages; poor family structures, poor parenting, more illegal and non-prescription drugs available locally, these are all possible contributory factors to the increase in HIV/AIDS among our adolescent babies.
Therefore, while law enforcement restricts the export of drugs, they also need to become more innovative and creative on restricting the local demand. The regulatory bodies need to be more strict with pharmacies that are selling non-prescription drugs to our children.
Parents and teachers, let’s start campaign; I call it a ‘Not my child, Not our children’ campaign. Parents, we must not lose our children to drugs, we will not lose our children to drugs. This campaign must be activated in homes, communities, churches, mosques, temples, including; Pastors, Imams, Pandits, Priests, Parent-Teachers Associations (PTA’s), among others. Parents wake up and fight for your children, let’s fight for our children! Our children are under all sorts of assaults, sexual and otherwise. Fight for your children parents!
To those selling drugs to our children, ‘in the name of Jesus, stop selling drugs to our children’! ‘For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds’ 2 Corinthians 10:4.
Yours faithfully,
Audreyanna Thomas
for Group – Christians Affected By Crime (CABC)
