Paramount Chief Mpezeni of the Ngoni people in eastern province has cautioned his subjects against engaging in dagga cultivation.
Chief Mpezeni said cultivation of dagga is a serious offence, which attracts imprisonment to culprits.
The traditional leader called for multisectoral approach to eradicate drug abuse and trafficking because the vices are a threat to national security and economic development.
Chief Mpezeni was speaking at the commemoration of the World Anti-Drugs Day held at Chipikula Basic School at Feni in the outskits of Chipata District in Luangeni constituency today.
He said drug abuse increases the risk of sexually transmitted infections among abusers because of high rate of indulgence in risk sexual behaviour arising from impaired judgment.
“Currently, the trend show that drug abuse is high among people aged between 15 to 49 years, which coincidentally is the same age range mostly affected by the HIV/AIDS pandemic in our country,” he added.
He said drug abuse has eroded morals among the youths, who no longer have respect for elderly people in society.
He has since assured the Drug Enforcement Commission, DEC, of his support in sensitisation campaigns on the dangers of drug abuse and trafficking.
DEC Assistant Commissioner, Adrressie Munene, said the commission is concerned over the increased number of women being used as conduits for drug trafficking.
She regretted that more women, including young girls, are venturing into drug peddling, as a source of income for their livelihood.
“According to statistics with my office about 163 female drug traffickers were arrested locally last year, so far this year 50 females have been arrested and some of them convicted and subjected to long Jail sentences,” Mr Munene said.
Mr Munene said the commission has intensified investigations to establish the causes an extent of drug trafficking in the country.
ZANIS
Dobbo
Bayate Nkosi, Ungoni ni fwaka yameni iyi na anakazi
ninshi mpezeni?? filemu fyapa fi dobo so now he wants to stop the rest from enjoyi.. yaba.. nambala one ushe uchaya? fyali dula kuno eh
Fwaka ya cingoni niyamene iyo nkhosi
Ankosi, mutaya ntawu nimwambo nifodya I lived and worked with Luangeni people for 4 years teti bapusuke ukwabula ka fwaka, its unlike the Ngonis , elo nga bapepa they poison themselves na rogo ,Angoni ,good people viva mbuyas
It´s a good source of income,in a place like Zed where we do have RB as presdo….one needs to use intiatives to sustain themselves
muzo i concur ehe ni apopene.
Shame , but to survive you need to have plans pa Zed.It is not there wish to be involved in such businesses but life cannot allow you to sit and wait
Mpezeni, live Maiko Zulu’s bread and water alone.
A mfumu also smokes, what is he talking about?
Herb the gift, from the Earth,
and what’s from the earth is of Jah’s greatest worth.
So before u knock it, try it first.
and you’ll see it’s a blessing and it’s not a curse.
If you dont like my fire, then dont come around,
cause i’m gonna burn one down.
Yes i’m gonna burn one.
me nah see ‘pon da ‘ipocrisy now! im n im de mpezeni rolls de ‘erb .now he gon’ come up on da place sayin no cultivation ganja!