Youths warned against drug abuse

Government says the majority of social and economic challenges youths face are a result of alcohol and drug use.

Ministry of Health spokesperson Adrian Chikumbe said on Tuesday in an e-mail interview that young people who indulge in alcohol consumption are exposed to problems such as injuries, mental health disorders, liver and heart problems, cancer and diabetes.

He said this is one of the major reasons government, through the ministry banned packaging alcohol in sachets.

He said: “For instance, non-communicable diseases such as liver problems, high blood pressure and other heart problems, diabetes, injuries, mental health problems, among others, have a direct link to alcohol. These problems are on the rise in Malawi.”

Chikumbe said as a way of reducing the problem, his ministry has drafted the National Alcohol Policy which is being championed by the Drug Fight Malawi with Ministry of Education, Science and Technology being key in educating young people. n