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National Guidance and Religious Affairs Minister Godfridah Sumaili
National Guidance and Religious Affairs Minister, Reverend Godfridah Sumaili says the current rate at which youths are abusing drugs and alcohol, families are breaking down and girls are falling pregnant while at school is alarming.
Reverend Sumaili says there is need for concerted efforts from various stakeholders in restoring morality levels amongst youths in the country especially that Zambia is a Christian nation.
In speech read on her behalf by Ministry’s Assistant Director for National Guidance, Godfrey Kaoma during the official opening of the Great North Road Academy Rehabilitation Center in Luasaka, Reverend Sumaili says the emergence of gangs, school sex parties and unprecedented drug and alcohol abuse by youths demonstrate the moral degradation in the country.
She has since commended the Great North Road Academy for its initiative to open a rehabilitation centre which will help in rehabilitating youths who are abusing alcohol and drugs and other related vices.
Speaking earlier, Great North Road Academy Director, Dr Rozious Siatwambo has disclosed that on average not less than 20 pupils are expelled on each school day around the country due to substance abuse.
Dr Siatwambo further states that majority of people serving sentences in prisons are as a result of drug and alcohol related issues.
He says the centre has assembled a team of experts drawn from a diverse professional background among them psychologists, psychosocial therapists, the clergy and medical practitioners to help rehabilitate youths who have fallen prone to substance abuse and related vices.
And Zambia Correctional Service Senior Assistance Commissioner, George Sikaonga has expressed optimism that the centre will also help rehabilitate youths who once served sentences in correctional facilities as a result of substance abuse.