By Taban Gabriel
King News- 9th August 2024- Samuel Sebit Emmanuel, known as Samse Sam, founder and Executive Director of Talent Initiative for Development (TIDE), argues that low taxes on alcohol and drugs have made these substances too accessible, especially for young people. He believes that imposing higher taxes on alcoholic products would drive up prices, leading to a decrease in consumption among unemployed youth.
“Look at the small bottle of waragi known as Jena far; it’s very cheap, and everybody can afford it, and that’s why there is a high prevalence of drug abuse among our young population,” he said
The former journalist turned musician and activist dared the government to regulate the smuggling of alcoholic products and other forms of drugs.
“We have seen a lot of drugs, from alcohol to cigarettes, among others, that are already rampant in South Sudan and are being consumed by our young population. It’s really quite challenging, for instance, if the government is trying to nurture work towards them,”
Samuel calls on concerted efforts to empower and educate young people against the danger of drug abuse in society.
The youthful activist made the remarks during a training of over 30 young people on drugs and trauma healing in the Gudele area.
A facilitator at the training, Tande Elias, said the objective of the training is to combat the “Emerging high prevalence of drug abuse in urban settings.”
“If you see our social norms and our behavior within Urban settings, it’s becoming increasingly worrying because of the way drugs are being consumed openly; the environment allows such, first because the drugs are cheap and they are various types all available in the market, with these we see danger in the near future,” Tande said.
Tande further stated that the training “will enhance trauma healing” from post-traumatic disorder, which he described as “Common among young people.”
Some of the beneficiaries of the lessons on drugs expressed delight and contentment for having attended the training.
“Based on the training that we have just had, it was amazing; I personally have learned a lot. There are some drugs I didn’t know before, but today I am aware of them,” said Suzan Luri, the treasurer of the youth office in Gudele Block 9.
“Sincerely speaking, most of us young people are suffering because of lack of knowledge on how to deal with drug abuse, but today we have really benefited a lot from the training,” said Augustino Bero Philip, head of youth in Gudele Block 9.
The South Sudan Transitional National Legislative Assembly (TNLA), on 7th August this year, ratified the United Nations (UN) Convention against the illicit trafficking of narcotic drugs and Substances.
It’s still not clear whether the UN Convention Act will be adopted and domesticated to regulate the local production and pricing of drugs and substances in the Republic of South Sudan.