By BERNAD NADE – FREELANCER
DRUG addicted youths in one of the remote areas in South Wiru Local Level Government (LLG) in the Pangia district, Southern Highlands Province, have decided to say no to drug.
For the first time, the youths have formed an association group called “Drug Down Peace Up” (DDPU) as a partway to address drug activities in the area.
On Friday, about thirty-one drug addicted youths came forward and physical surrendered themselves to the public, confessing not to participate in the same activity.
This ceremony took place at Kapele village, witnessed by law and order sector and community development office in Ialibu/Pangia district.
This included the Eastern End Commander Inspector Mack Hanema, Ialibu Police Station Commander Inspector John Kalopa, Pangia Police Station Commander Albert Noria, Imbongu Police Station Commander Paul Wasigo, police personnel and Ialibu/Pangia District Advisor for Community Development Levi Piriwi.
On behalf of the youths, one of the association executives said their prime target of forming the association was to change for the future.
The association group is expected to be formerly registered with the Investment Promotion Authority (IPA).
According to the association executives, their association’s focus is to work closely with all council wards targeting youths in the South Wiru LLG first, then to other wards throughout the district.
A community leader who is behind the youths to have the association fulfils its aims and goals, is the South Wiru LLG President, Mr Wambi Nondi.
In his welcome speech, Nondi said the whole idea is to provide his leadership to change these vulnerable young youths and find a good life for them so that they become meaning full individuals in the community and district in the future.
He said when a community is filled with drug addicted youths, there is more law and order issues, and that hinders developments to take place smoothly in the district.
Nondi said there are hardly any funds available at the moment in the district and province but he will vigorously taking it up with relevant authorities to support the program.
In support of the President, Eastern End Commander Inspector Mack Hanema spoke highly of poor administrative funding support to such important program, which can bring changes into the communities.
He said there are funds allocated to law and order sector in the districts and provinces but he cannot understand why these funds are not reaching down to the community level to support such program.
About three council wards participated in the event and they are; Kapele, Moroa and Kengereme wards.
