Juvenile inmates to conduct awareness

A GROUP of juvenile inmates at Bomana prison are ready to spread the message on the dangers of drugs and homebrew to schools in National Capital District.
Last week the 15 inmates completed a two-day refresher course on illegal substances which was facilitated by the NCD’s Yumi Lukautim Mosbi programme in partnership with the National Youth Development Authority.
They will be engaged by these agencies to carry out awareness throughout secondary and technical schools in October.
Yumi Lukautim Mosbi coordinator Lucy Totil said they were impressed with the inmates’ ability to learn and their willingness to be involved in the awareness campaign.
“The reason why we have engaged these young men is because they have lost their freedom,” she said.
“Most of them were convicted for smoking or selling marijuana and drinking homebrew leading to illegal activities.”
“We want them to tell their stories to the students so they can become aware of the dangers of consuming these illegal substances which are also harmful to the body.”
Totil said they targeted schools because students were now making headlines in the media for drinking in public and involving in cult activities.
“These problems are real and they exist in schools but who is willing to take the lead to address them? That is why we have decided to take the first step.
“We will be working along with school captains to try to find ways to minimise these issues and one of which is by engaging the inmates.”