EDITORIAL: Sex, drugs and the Delia murder case
The ongoing court case regarding the killing of Delia Weimers-Maasdorp, allegedly by her drug-addict boyfriend Wentzel Maasdorp, highlights the crisis that our country faces as far as substance abuse is concerned.
There is no denying that drug and alcohol abuse destroys Namibian families every year, and children are often caught in the crossfire. In this particular case, two children are left without a mother.
It has been said in court that the two met in a rehab center—where Delia was battling alcoholism, while Wentzel was there for drug addiction. Our country is not only grappling with the toll of heavy drinking, especially among the youth, but drug abuse is now widespread across many age groups.
Substance abuse has the potential to drag teenagers far away from the happy and purposeful lives they deserve. Reports have also shown how drugs, alcohol, and even boredom have led Namibians down dark paths filled with risky behavior, including sexual experimentation.
Children of school-going age are falling prey to substance abuse, contributing to chaotic behavior in schools, including ill-discipline, aggressiveness, hostility, disrespect, and vandalism.
Developing effective strategies to combat substance abuse is a mammoth task, but everyone must hop onto the wagon—from government to parents and teachers.
What we can ill afford is for drugs and alcohol to destroy the country’s future by robbing the very leaders of tomorrow of their drive and purpose.
There is no denying that drug and alcohol abuse destroys Namibian families every year, and children are often caught in the crossfire. In this particular case, two children are left without a mother.
It has been said in court that the two met in a rehab center—where Delia was battling alcoholism, while Wentzel was there for drug addiction. Our country is not only grappling with the toll of heavy drinking, especially among the youth, but drug abuse is now widespread across many age groups.
Substance abuse has the potential to drag teenagers far away from the happy and purposeful lives they deserve. Reports have also shown how drugs, alcohol, and even boredom have led Namibians down dark paths filled with risky behavior, including sexual experimentation.
Children of school-going age are falling prey to substance abuse, contributing to chaotic behavior in schools, including ill-discipline, aggressiveness, hostility, disrespect, and vandalism.
Developing effective strategies to combat substance abuse is a mammoth task, but everyone must hop onto the wagon—from government to parents and teachers.
What we can ill afford is for drugs and alcohol to destroy the country’s future by robbing the very leaders of tomorrow of their drive and purpose.
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Namibian Sun
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