Activism at the Grassroots: Gambian Youths Speak Up Against Drug Abuse

Gambian Youths Speak Up Against Drug Abuse

By Tukeni Obasi

West Africa has been described as the hub of drug trafficking.  Almost a year ago, over two tonnes of cocaine valued at US$1 billion was seized by Gambia law enforcement agencies in addition to firearms and large stashes of money. Since then, the youths have risen up and spoken out against this practice and its effects on their society.  In April 2011, thirty youth leaders were trained by Ignatus Worldwide Network and empowered to use their skills to prevent drug abuse and violence in their communities. But they have not been the only ones who have stayed engaged at the grassroots.

On June 18, 2011, twenty-three members of the Youth Consortium for Progress convened in a modest classroom at Child Concern Primary School in Latrikunda German, a suburb of Gambia’s largest city Serrekunda.  The topic of the workshop was drug abuse and trafficking especially as they affect the youths of the Gambian. Among the attendees were youth leaders and activists as well as secondary school students including the Head Boy of Ndow’s Comprehensive Junior School and the winner of Best Actor award at the YCP drama competition in March.

Moderating this discussion were YCP President, Sheriffo Jarju and YCP Scholar Bubacarr Baldeh. Following group discussions about personal experiences of and views on drug abuse as well as its root causes, Jarju talked about the effects of drug abuse in the community and the situation among the most vulnerable population- the youths. He talked about the challenges of addressing this issue and related problems of poverty, youth unemployment, neglect, peer pressure and crime. He also talked about the roles drug enforcement agencies have played in fighting this menace. To conclude, Jarju urged the youth to take action by remaining good ambassadors of their community and becoming active in their families, schools and communities and participating in awareness and prevention programs.  After Jarju’s talk, Baldeh who works with the Gambian Medical and Dental Council talked about the health repercussions of substance abuse and challenged the youths to lead responsible lives.

At the end of the workshop, participants worked together to draft a declaration affirming their commitment to the fight against drug abuse. Taking their discussion to a wider audience, participants were invited to participate in the Change Makers Show on the National TV Station, GRTS to air their views.  This episode was co-hosted by Sheriffo Jarju of YCP and Yassin Faal of Children for Children.

This is what participants had to say about the program:

“ I learnt a lot from the workshop and the show as they were very educative and interactive. I liked it. I think it would be very good to have more of these youths programs especially on national platforms TV and radio.”- Bubarr Baldeh

“I want to tell you that I was very happy and impressed with the workshop that I attended. I learned a lot about drug abuse and the role of the youths in fighting this practice”- Mustapha Badjie

“The TV program was so interesting and I really enjoyed it because I learned more about the bad effects of drugs…I have been trying to gather many youths in our area to explain to them the bad effects of drugs”- Ebrima Jorbateh

Below is the text of the declaration prepared by the attendees

Declaration on the Menace of Drug Abuse and Drug Trafficking among Youths
We the youth of YCP

• Committed to protecting and promoting the dignity of all persons in the society especially the youth
• Noticing that drug abuse and trafficking has been on the rise among Gambians especially among the youths.
• Concerned about the economic, social, mental, psychological and other effects of this practice in the community and its connection to other social problems such as crime,

Condemn all acts that will jeopardize the physical and mental well-being of our country’s youth who are at the core of our society and our country’s greatest resources.

Recognizing the efforts of youth groups and civil society organisations and youth groups as well as the government and drug enforcement agencies such as the National Drug Enforcement Agency, the National Drug Control Council and the National Drug Squad (NDS) to address this menace, bring offenders to book and raise awareness about the dangers of this practice,

We call on:

1)            the youth  to desist from drug abuse and focus instead on exploiting and developing their potentials; to be engaged in community development initiatives, business and enterprise, law enforcement and all other activities that will move our country forward and  to lead the way in innovation and development and serve as models to other African youths.

2)      The government to:

• work closely with youth groups to fight against illicit drugs in the Gambia and beyond, promoting leadership initiatives and capacity-building among youths.
• to put in place mechanisms that will discourage the sale and consumption and demand for drugs.
• to levy heavy taxes on drugs importers.
• to encourage authorities to execute the laws accordingly and continue to bring offenders to bring offenders to book.

3)      The NDS and NDEA to do their job accordingly and release up to-date documents detailing the effects of drug abuse and the frequency of this practice in this country training its staff with the latest equipment and methods to tackle illicit drug issues and eradicate the widespread of illicit drugs in The Gambia and her surroundings while prosecuting offenders to serve as a deterrent to potential offenders.

4)      Our schools and parents to have strategies and plan to eradicate the use of drugs in schools and homes and educate children about the implications of drug use and abuse.

5) Parents and schools to implement no-smoking rules in homes and schools.

6) Parents to be actively engaged in the moral, emotional, and all-round development of children and youths to enable them understand their roles in the society and become responsible citizens.

7) We encourage parents, school authorities and community leaders to work together to educate members of the community and raise awareness about social ills.

Undeterred in our movement for a prosperous Gambia, we will do all in our power to fight against and prevent drug abuse and drug trafficking in our country by working with schools, families, communities and youth groups, organizing workshops and radio shows to further educate our peers and involve the youths in tackling this activity, standing up for the truth wherever we go and organizing talent shows and other community activities to get people to exploit and build their talents in  constructive ways.

We believe that our youth are not only the future but the present. We will therefore not lose hope in the battle against this menace and for the future of the youths of this community because we believe that now is the time to act for if not now, then when? And if not us, then who? We will rise up to the challenge to be agents of peace and development in our great nation.

Signed by
All twenty-three participants of this workshop on the 18th of June 2011.

The participants, empowered by these programs have decided to organise a follow-up event in which community leaders, government authorities, law enforcement agencies, former drug abusers, children, youths, parents, religious leaders, merchants, economists, entrepreneurs, medical practitioners, other civil society and youth groups as other groups in the society will be present in order to promote a more-inclusive discussion and a more coordinated response to curb this practice and promote the growth of gainful alternatives to drug abuse and trafficking.

We congratulate the youths for taking the first step and we wish them all the best as they continue to campaign for the betterment of the youths.