From: Olivia Phiri
Date: 14th July 2004
Slug: Dagga

Southern Africa continues to be the major source of cannabis in Africa. Young people today are growing up in a world where the majority of them are offered an illegal drug by the age of 16.
In the majority of cases this drug will be cannabis, mostly because it is the cheapest drug available.

Zambia has experienced an increasing number of children being arrested for trafficking and possession of Illicit Drugs. The Drug Enforcement Commission (DEC) has reported an increased level or production around the country.

The use by both Children and adults has never been an important issue to most of Africa until recently. Internal economic, social and political instability have created conditions that foster drug use and drug trafficking, not forgetting traditions that have always perceived the drug as a ‘hard man’s smoke’.
The key differences for young people using drugs compared to adult use may be boredom, rebellion, curiosity, and the normalisation of illegal drugs within all sectors of society especially the drug cannabis.
Cannabis is a natural substance from the cannabis (or marijuana) plant. Cannabis is also known as: marijuana, draw, dope, puff, hash, pot, spliff, or weed.
Taking cannabis makes most users feel more sociable, relaxed, talkative and giggly. It heightens the users' senses, taste and music. Cannabis can also bring on food cravings.
However, Dagga as it is also known has adverse effects on health.
Smoking 1 or 2 joints a month, brain cells are never clear of cannabis. This contrasts with alcohol, which is cleared relatively quickly from the body
Cannabis increases the risk of developing mental illness including psychosis, depression, suicidal behavior and anxiety.

Educational opportunities are lost; Concentration, attention learning and memory are all severely affected. Few children, using cannabis rarely, achieve their full potential. Loss of interest in hobbies is observed with cannabis use.
Cannabis smoking can lead to the use of harder drugs such as cocaine and heroin.


Possible preventive solutions can be talking to children about drugs, finding time to listen to their views, encourage them to share and involve themselves in extra curricular activities that keep their minds busy.

Love should be expressed very openly; children should be told about how you as a parent or guardian feel and care for them.

In conclusion no drug is less harmful than the other, so cannabis is just as dangerous as heroin or cocaine, let us stand up and fight against children drug abuse it affects the whole world.

Ends.



Information Resources:
Drug Ploicy.org
Irinnews.org
Post Newspaper
Homehealth.uk
Lawcf.org
Talkingwithkids.org
Drspock.com

From: Olivia Phiri
Date: 14th July 2004
Slug: Dagga

Southern Africa continues to be the major source of cannabis in Africa. Young people today are growing up in a world where the majority of them are offered an illegal drug by the age of 16.
In the majority of cases this drug will be cannabis, mostly because it is the cheapest drug available.

Zambia has experienced an increasing number of children being arrested for trafficking and possession of Illicit Drugs. The Drug Enforcement Commission (DEC) has reported an increased level or production around the country.

The use by both Children and adults has never been an important issue to most of Africa until recently. Internal economic, social and political instability have created conditions that foster drug use and drug trafficking, not forgetting traditions that have always perceived the drug as a ‘hard man’s smoke’.
The key differences for young people using drugs compared to adult use may be boredom, rebellion, curiosity, and the normalisation of illegal drugs within all sectors of society especially the drug cannabis.
Cannabis is a natural substance from the cannabis (or marijuana) plant. Cannabis is also known as: marijuana, draw, dope, puff, hash, pot, spliff, or weed.
Taking cannabis makes most users feel more sociable, relaxed, talkative and giggly. It heightens the users' senses, taste and music. Cannabis can also bring on food cravings.
However, Dagga as it is also known has adverse effects on health.
Smoking 1 or 2 joints a month, brain cells are never clear of cannabis. This contrasts with alcohol, which is cleared relatively quickly from the body
Cannabis increases the risk of developing mental illness including psychosis, depression, suicidal behavior and anxiety.

Educational opportunities are lost; Concentration, attention learning and memory are all severely affected. Few children, using cannabis rarely, achieve their full potential. Loss of interest in hobbies is observed with cannabis use.
Cannabis smoking can lead to the use of harder drugs such as cocaine and heroin.


Possible preventive solutions can be talking to children about drugs, finding time to listen to their views, encourage them to share and involve themselves in extra curricular activities that keep their minds busy.

Love should be expressed very openly; children should be told about how you as a parent or guardian feel and care for them.

In conclusion no drug is less harmful than the other, so cannabis is just as dangerous as heroin or cocaine, let us stand up and fight against children drug abuse it affects the whole world.

Ends.



Information Resources:
Drug Ploicy.org
Irinnews.org
Post Newspaper
Homehealth.uk
Lawcf.org
Talkingwithkids.org
Drspock.com

Lawless cadres rule Kapwelyomba plots (Zambia)

Movement for Multiparty Democracy cadres are at it again in kapwelyombwa area north of chelston illegally distributing plots amongst each other.
The cadres are reportedly grabbing plots from rightful owners who are being told that the plots belong to MMD cadres.

Visiting the site, the cadres threatened violence to members of the public even thought they have rightful documentation stating that the government is in agreement to what is happening in the area.

Speaking to one of the legal land owner who refused to be named for fear of future harassment from the cadres said she was threatened and harassed by the cadres who refused to giver her their names.

“I can harass you right now, if I want, because this is my land”, said the cadre. ‘You should go and inquire from the Commissioner of lands over this issue, it was decided at a meeting that this land is for cadres,’ screamed the man.

Efforts to get a reaction from the Commissioner of Lands on the matter, proved fruitless as he was never available for comment.

Another much calmer cadre explained that the complainant was one of the many that had been wrongly placed by the local surveyor, known as Kayombo whom the cadres say he is working for council which is not an authority in this issue.

The cadres went on further to explain that the lady shall be relocated to another area but she should never come back or risk being attacked by the local mob.

‘Here madam if you come back again you will be beaten by the locals because we are a community with the same understanding’, concluded the cadre as he walked away from the lady.

‘Soon after the so called chairperson finished address me, a mob of women started coming from no where with axes and hoes screaming and calling for more people to see this person who wanted to steal their land’, narrated the victim.

The victim further appeals to the Ministry of Lands to look into the matter before this lawlessness continues and lives are lost.

HUMANS TAKE CHARGE!

The responsibility for sustainable development lies in the people of any country. Long has the mind sets of people relied on institutions to take care of the simplest duties. Any improvement in the people's quality of life has to begin and be maintained “at home”.

The idea of dependence has lead to deteriorating surroundings and structures. One example to pick on is the recently constructed drainage along Great East Road running from Mulungushi Conference Center to the Arcades Round about. Currently the drainage system is filled up with silt, plastic bags and paper packs.

One passerby spoken to refuted the claim that people are to blame for the situation. Kelvin Mulenga of Kalundu says it’s the Governments responsibility together with the Environmental Council of Zambia.

However Mulenga was uncertain as he went on further to explain the situation. He started debating on the issue of who generates the garbage, whom he identified to be the people, but still insisted that it was the responsibility of Government.

“ Its Governments fault to a certain extent, but okay its us the people who throw dirt in the drain, but I think it’s the governments job to make sure its cleared up,’ said Mulenga.

Mulenga’s conflict of thought can be seen on the faces through the lack of concern and interest of the other passerby’s to the steady filling up drainage.

The mission statement of the Lusaka City Council, LCC is to provide high quality services and enabling environment, with stakeholder participation, in order to improve the quality of life for all those who live, work, visit or conduct business in Lusaka.

But it is very apparent that our council is currently doing the best it can bearing in mind the financial situation it faces, not forgetting the political interference and corruption from very limited revenue collection points.

The council established the waste Management Unit to look into the issue of garbage through the funding of Danida in 2001. The WMU thereafter put out tenders for carrying out this work due to lack of equipment. Lusaka was divided into 12 zones, and the particular area in question is under Clean Fast Limited.

The Council’s Engineering Department is further obligated to hire contractors to maintain the road networks of Lusaka, of which includes drainages as well. This department has hired Take Pride Limited to maintain, the same area.

The question of governance steps in, the replication of duties leads to confusion and unaccomplished objectives. Liaison between the two departments should be strengthened. Monitoring of contractors should be consistent.

The WMU or the Engineering Department of the council cannot however be held completely responsible for the situation. Other stakeholders are the people and shop owners.
Industries and shops can or will be penalized in the future for contributing to environmental pollution. Each productive industry or shop should ensure it had adequate bins for it customers or adequate dumping facility for their products.

Habitual tendencies of throwing plastic bags and any kind of indecomposable litter should be the issue to be addressed by the council to the people of Lusaka.

The council should carry out massive in expensive advocacy programs that will remind the people of their responsibility for a cleaner environment. With the Rain season on the way, every person should be concerned of the result of congested drainages.

The council would have to make sure the campaigns are cross cutting, in that they have to appeal to different members or classes of society, from the ordinary citizen to the top business people.

The Council through the WMU facilitates Awareness workshops in compounds around Lusaka. Areas where such workshops have been held are, Garden, George, Lilanda, Chaisa and Mandevu compounds.
A source for the Unit spoken to said, compounds have been further given green containers and community groups have been formed after workshops to sensitize other residents on how to manage waste disposal.

The audience the council has focused on is not such huge consumers, and rarely goes to shopping malls, like Arcades, so the Council should be broader based in their sensitization campaigns.

Participation by both men and women is a key cornerstone of good governance. Therefore the council would have to ensure that their advocacy programmes attract both sexes in order to ensure sustainable development.

Good governance by the people should be the motto of every citizen; poor governance generates a social environment detrimental to development. People need to overcome poverty and share in their country's development.

The WMU is in progress installing concrete bins around the city, to avoid vandalism and theft, the process has already been started along Cairo Road. However, this initiative won’t work if there is no sensitization of the people.

In conclusion, people need to be considerate of their environment and should seek ways of sustaining whatever development is happening around them.