Group leads fight against drug cultivation

MAWA Land and Resources Limited which advocates conservation of land and natural resources is serious about reducing the consumption and cultivation of marijuana in remote parts of the country.
Managing director Mathew Karu said the company was receiving requests from youths in Ialibu-Pangia, Kagua-Erave and Bomai-Karimui which are Southern Highlands border villages to continue with awareness programmes on drug rehabilitation.
“The youths that we’ve reached, especially in Wembu in Ialibu-Pangia, have surrendered, given up marijuana, uprooted everything and gave back their lives to God,” Karu said.
“Now they want Mawa to continue the transformation programme. We are also interested in reaching out to villages in West Kambia and Jimi in Jiwaka, as well as Western Highlands and other provinces around the country.”
Karu said the company needed funds to move its programmes ahead and had appealed to the Treasury Department to  release funds it had promised.
He emphasised that the root cause of many problems experienced in urban areas started from remote areas.
“Marijuana and alcohol are the major causes of youth problems experienced today and we want to target the rural areas,” Karu said.
“The producers or suppliers are based in the villages and we want to reach out to them through the rehabilitation programmes to cut the supply chain.”
Karu said marijuana was not grown in towns or cities but in villages so the problem should be   addressed there. He thanked those who had assisted with funds, which had a positive impact on the lives of young people.
Karu said some youths from different villages were put on payroll to act as advocates against consumption and cultivation of drugs and alcohol.