By Alhagie Babou Jallow
As part of the International Youth Day celebrations, authorities reiterated their calls to youth to desist from all illegal drug activities and venture into meaningful development.
Alagie B Janneh, the Chairman of Alcohol Policy Alliance (APA) Gambia noted the importance of International Youth Day, celebrated every year on August 12th.
He stated that several alternative development approaches can be implemented as part of drug reduction strategies instead of relying on cannabis cultivation and production.
‘‘Among them,’’ he continued, ‘‘ecotourism development: focusing on developing ecotourism as an alternative source of income for communities’’.
Mr. Janneh explained that ecotourism can generate income and employment opportunities for locals while preserving natural resources and wildlife habitats.
He highlighted that this approach can be particularly effective in areas with high biodiversity and ecotourism potential, infrastructure development: investing in the development of infrastructure such as roads, clean water, healthcare, and education to improve the quality of life of the local population.
‘‘This can help reduce the incentive to engage in drug-related activities as people become more resilient and have access to better opportunities, value-added product development: supporting local entrepreneurs to develop value-added products from existing crops such as coffee, chocolate, or spices,’’ he explained.
Mr. Janneh further explained that the approach can boost local economies, create jobs, and contribute to market diversification, ultimately helping to reduce the demand for drug-related activities, overall, alternative development approaches aim to create economic and social opportunities that enable communities to thrive without resorting to drug-related activities. By addressing the root causes of drug cultivation and production, these strategies can contribute to more sustainable and long-lasting solutions to drug reduction.
Talking on the issues of alcohol, Chairman Janneh stated that, as an organisation advocating for evidence-based policies on alcohol, APA Gambia is increasingly concerned about the harmful impact of alcohol on the health and well-being of young people, including their social, academic, and economic potential.
He lamented that alcohol use among young people is a major public health concern in The Gambia, as it exposes them to a higher risk of accidents, injuries, violence, and sexual abuse.
‘‘Additionally,’’ he added, ‘‘alcohol use can lead to poor academic performance and mental health problems such as depression and anxiety. Alarmingly, children as young as 10 years old have been reported to consume alcohol in The Gambia.’’
On behalf of APA Gambia, Mr. Janneh called on the government, private sector, and civil society to work hand in hand to implement effective evidence-based policies to curb the harmful use of alcohol by young people in The Gambia.
‘‘We need legislation and policies that restrict the availability andaccessibility of alcohol to young people, including prohibiting alcohol sales to minors and reducing the hours of alcohol sales,’’ he noted.
He further urged parents, guardians, schools, and community leaders to support the health and social development of young people by providing them with adequate information on the risks and harms of alcohol.
Mr. Janneh emphasised that International Youth Day 2024 presents a unique opportunity to reflect on the challenges faced by young people, including the harmful impact of alcohol on their well-being.
“As a nation, we must take action to protect our young people from the dangers of alcohol and create an enabling environment for their social, academic, and economic development. APA Gambia will continue to advocate for evidence-based policies on alcohol and collaborate with all stakeholders to eradicate the harmful use of alcohol in The Gambia,” he remarked.
