
’Marafaele Mohloboli
MASERU Urban District Commissioner Senior Superintendent Motlatsi Mapola has expressed concern over the escalation of drug-related offences among youths, saying parents must assume greater responsibility in raising law-abiding children.
SSP Mapola said this after police discovered and confiscated some drug smoking utensils in the bags of some learners at one of the local shopping malls.
He said police were worried about this new disturbing trend of children who appeared to be into serious drug abuse.
“It is the responsibility of every parent to discipline their children and ensure they are not involved in any illegal activities even by searching their bags before and after they return from school,” SSP Mapola said.
He said parents should always be cautious and immediately seek professional help if they detected signs of unusual behavior in their children instead of waiting until something harmful happened.
“Once a parent notices abnormal behavior in their child, or the child becomes suicidal, counselling should be sought from experts like church leaders and the police. Parents should not take this behaviour lightly,” SSP Mapola said.
He said communication was crucial even in adult relationships, adding this week they attended to two suicide cases of “people who had a communication breakdown.”
“One of the deceased was a 40 year old man from Leseli in Khubetsoana who is alleged to have had family problems and decided to keep it all to himself.
“The other case is that of a 23 year old woman from Ha Makhoathi whose death could have resulted from use of drugs or could have been poisoned as she did not want to be reprimanded,” he said.
He said the police had lined up some programmes with churches and sex workers in a bid to combat crime and effect behavioural change.