EDITORIAL: The youth must put down the bottle

Alcohol abuse, especially among young Namibians, is robbing our nation of a brighter future. Week after week, headlines tell the same tragic story: young lives derailed or destroyed after a night of reckless drinking, whether at clubs, bars or while hopping from one watering hole to the next – all in the name of 'chopping life'.With the abuse of alcohol comes a string of regrettable decisions. Unprotected sex with strangers met in dimly lit clubs, squandering money meant for essentials, drunk driving, destroyed vehicles, arrests, brawls – and in the worst of cases, senseless deaths.In today’s edition, we report on a chilling case: a young man, visibly intoxicated, randomly opening fire at Chicago Bar, killing an innocent bystander who was simply at the wrong place at the wrong time. The victim’s family will now live with unbearable grief. As for the alleged shooter, Gabes Shiimi, his own life – and potentially those of dependants, if any – is now shattered. He faces the prospect of spending many years behind bars, if not the rest of his life.If only both young men had stayed home that night. If only Netflix had been more tempting than a night of bravado and booze. If only.Having a good time isn’t unique to this generation, but the tempo – intensified by social media and the relentless pressure to appear glamorous – has reached dangerous new heights. The pursuit of validation online often leads to ruin offline.The time has come to confront this growing crisis with all the urgency it deserves. There must be clear boundaries – personal and societal – on how much indulgence is too much. Without this introspection and intervention, Namibia’s future, which lies in the hands of today’s youth, is at serious risk.

EDITORIAL: The youth must put down the bottle

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Namibian Sun 2025-06-18

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EDITORIAL: The youth must put down the bottle

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Namibian Sun 2025-06-18

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