Authorities in Lakes State have banned the sale and use of cannabis, locally known as bhang, as well as crystal methamphetamine, commonly known as “ice”, and imposed tighter controls on the prescription painkiller tramadol in Rumbek Town, officials said on Friday.
Rumbek Town Mayor Kuol Mathubier told Radio Tamazuj that the order was aimed at curbing rising drug abuse among young people, which he says has been linked to crime and social disorder.
“I issued an order banning the sale of bhang, cannabis and ice, and regulating the sale of tramadol within Rumbek market,” Mathubier said.
He said anyone found possessing or trading the banned substances could face up to one year in jail, in addition to fines determined by the courts.
Mathubier said the importation of the drugs into Rumbek would also be prohibited, warning that anyone caught transporting them from other areas, including Juba or Kampala, would face legal action.
He said cannabis and other narcotics were widely abused by youths aged between 15 and 27, contributing to violence, idleness and health problems.
“Once they take these drugs, they fight among themselves, and their health and psychological condition are affected,” he said. “Most of the time they either fight or remain idle instead of engaging in productive work.”
The mayor said tramadol would only be available at designated public hospitals, including Rumbek Teaching Hospital and Kiir Mayardit Women’s Hospital.
He said authorities had consulted the state health ministry before restricting the drug, which he said was being widely abused by youths taking multiple capsules at once.
“If someone is found carrying tramadol without a prescription from a recognised doctor, that person will be treated as a drug abuser and in violation of the order,” he said.
Lakes State Health Ministry Director General Maker Malok backed the restrictions, saying tramadol should only be prescribed for severe pain cases such as cancer or fractures.
“It is good that the municipality has banned its sale in private pharmacies because many young people are using it improperly,” Malok said.
He added that the ministry had previously issued a similar directive in collaboration with former municipal authorities and called for stronger enforcement involving police and security agencies.
Civil society activist Daniel Laat Kon welcomed the move but warned that poor enforcement and corruption could undermine the order.
“The problem is not issuing orders, but implementing them fairly,” he said. “Some security officers turn enforcement into a business by taking money from offenders and releasing them.”
Local leaders, including Cueibet County Executive Chief Meen Jok, also expressed support for the ban, saying it would help protect young people from drug abuse and criminal behaviour.
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