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{
    "id": 1338483,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1338483/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 68,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Seme, ODM",
    "speaker_title": "Hon. (Dr.) James Nyikal",
    "speaker": null,
    "content": " Thank you, Hon. Deputy Speaker, for the opportunity to contribute to this Motion. I will try to be brief although this is a very interesting topic. I must congratulate my colleague, Hon. Makali, for bringing the Motion to the House. Drug and substance abuse is a big problem in this country affecting mainly the youth. It is a complex phenomenon involving our social and family structures. These substances and drugs are available in schools, shopping centres, clubs and where people get together, particularly young people. Sometimes they come in forms that people argue whether they are substances of abuse or drugs. Just last week, we were talking about Velo, which is definitely a nicotine derivative. Drugs come in many disguised forms. It also involves individual predisposition and the family circumstances. In a family, one person may be affected while others are not affected. We must look at all aspects of the society. In the end, it results into mental illness of persons affected. Thereafter, it becomes completely difficult to manage because the hallmarks of mental illness are lack of insight. This means the affected person does not realise that he or she is unwell and will, therefore, not seek treatment and worse still, will not abide by the treatment that is given. It then becomes very complex as it affects people in their youth when they are very vulnerable. Another aspect of drug and substance abuse is physical addiction, which means the person is physically and physiologically addicted. Without the drug, the person gets physically sick and will look for the drug. That brings up behaviours like theft and violence just to sustain the habit. At that point, we have a big problem on our hands. If it is affecting many youth, then we have to look at it. Unfortunately, for a long time our health system has not recognised this as an illness and not as a behavioural problem. Fortunately, we are looking at it in the legal The electronic version of the Official Hansard Report is for information purposesonly. A certified version of this Report can be obtained from the Hansard Editor."
}