Local authorities on Gondokoro Island, Juba County, have raised concern over increasing drug use among young people and urged the government to establish a police post to help curb the problem.
The concern was raised on Friday during an experience-sharing session organised by the Women Foundation for Humanity in Minuit Boma.
Paramount Chief Martin Ladu Soka said young people are increasingly using illicit drugs, which he said are brought from Uganda through Jebel Nyoka.
“The drugs brought from Uganda have spoiled the youth here. Some have reached an extent of not being able to speak,” he said.
Gondokoro Monenyit Island, northeast of Juba, is accessible by boat through the Nile. Ladu said a police post could help restrict the entry of drugs.
He said he had reported the issue to payam authorities and requested police deployment but received no response. He also said drug use had contributed to threats against women and girls.
Dorothy Ambrose Drabuga, executive director of the Women Foundation for Humanity, urged women to speak out about gender-based violence and other challenges affecting their communities.
She said the formation of a women’s group and the election of women to leadership positions were among the achievements recorded on the island.
Drabuga encouraged women to challenge beliefs that they could not become community leaders, citing women serving as chiefs and quarter council leaders elsewhere.
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