Govt warns drug abusive employees

Govt warns drug abusive employees

Nchelenge, July 20, 2013, ZANIS……Government has warned that it will take stern action against workers found in the habit of consuming alcohol and drugs while on duty.

Acting Nchelenge district commissioner Gift Hajongola says government is concerned with reports of cases involving substance abuse in work places.

Mr. Hajongola was speaking during a World Anti-Drugs Day commemoration held at the Freedom Square in Nchelenge district.

The theme for the 2013 World Anti-Drugs commemoration which falls on June 26 was "make health your new high in life, not drugs".

The Nchelenge DC said there is need for work places to remain free from all kinds of substance abuse if workers were to contribute to the social economic development of the country.

Mr. Hajongola also bemoaned the high number of cases of substance abuse in schools such as Nchelenge Secondary.

And speaking earlier, Drug Enforcement Commission (DEC)Luapula Province Regional Commander Beatrice Mpanga explained that the delay to celebrate the Anti-drug was meant to accommodate the event to also be held in Nchelenge.

Ms Mpanga said  the DEC has intensified  its awareness campaigns against alcohol and drug abuse in Luapula province.

She said the DEC is working closely with education authorities and traditional leaders in the province to ensure that the vices involving drug abuse and money laundering are brought to an end.

Ms Mpanga also called on members of the community in Luapula to work closely with the DEC to help eradicate drug abuse by reporting cases of cannabis cultivation and trafficking.

She said there is need for traditional authorities to take an active role in sensitising members of the community to desist from cultivating psychotropic substances but to instead  grow food crops that will benefit both their families and the economy of the country.

Delivering a vote of thanks, Sarah Kaoma, a pupil at Nchelenge secondary school appealed to  members of the community in the area to provide the necessary guidance and counselling to youths so that they do not indulge in vices such as drug abuse.

The commemoration was characterised by songs and poems and was attended by Heads of government departments, schools and members of the community.