Social issues affecting country

THE breakdown in discipline and respect in our society that is affecting everyone should be addressed or it will affect the future.
Law and order issues are on the rise including social ills, decline in ethical standard, decline in morality, increase in domestic drug abuse and the list goes on.
We have reported on court cases involving the sexual abuse of minors, murder because of alcohol consumption and the list goes on.
That is already an indication of sick human beings living in our communities.
Adding to that, is the no-care attitude relating the Covid-19 protocols that leaves a lot to be desired about the attitude of our people.
Like a serious illness affecting the body, Papua New Guinea is fighting a constant battle to stay on a path that will deliver the people to a better state of affairs.
The symptoms are exhibited on an almost daily basis. After over 40 years of independence, one would have thought that the country would have attained a level of wealth that reflects the abundant natural and human resources available but that is not the case.
If the last four decades has taught us anything, it is that we should not take anything for granted.
We simply cannot afford to because to continue as we would mean we risk losing everything we have and are.
Developmental issues are the Government’s main challenge.
There is some hope in the Government but one hopes that its actions are genuine and that it has the people’s welfare at heart.
While a few areas have seen some improvement, a lot still is required to eradicate this issue which if not addressed will be an impediment to development.
It is not possible to remove the problem once and for all because we are talking about changing human attitude, mindsets and behaviour which have been influenced by the social environment that individual interacts.
We all should understand that just as the social problems took years to fester and become open sores, social intervention takes a long time to work.
Social intervention cannot prosper in community environment where the law is impotent and criminals rule.
For social intervention to sustainably work, for people to go about their business freely and without fear, for children to go to school unmolested and without being lured by criminals, law and order should rule.
To that end, in the very short term, and for as long as necessary, the security forces should take control of these communities haunted by those who have lost respect for humans or criminals.
Any place can be transformed easily if law and order issues are addressed adequately to allow a conducive environment for business activities and service delivery.
Police presence in the communities would bring an impact and bring about changes.
PNG does not want just a police force.
We want a police force that will be effective and accountable and trained, properly disciplined.
The challenge goes back to those in authority on how we expect to see changes when adequate funding is not given.
In many instances, the societies that have made headway in achieving peaceful, progressive and harmonious existence are those that have strong and effective policing and a sound, fair justice system.
It is a generational change that will take place over time, provided there is constant positive reinforcement of the right behaviour.