Watch out for drugs, Police say

By LULU MARK
STREET sales and consumption of marijuana are increasing so parents should keep a closer eye on their children, police say.
Officer-in-charge of the National Drug and Vice Squad (NDVS) Chief Sgt Sirike Zisomein said drug sellers did not care who they sold the marijuana to.
Apart from the streets, the main market place for marijuana were institutions, including primary schools.
“It is really a problem in the primary schools where children are bullied and forced to use it,” Sgt Zisomein said.
“They later end up being mentally affected.
“Keep your children out from drugs.
“When your children come late, check their eyes.” Red eyes often indicate drug use.
The drug was readily available to young people because street prices were between K1 and K10, Sgt Zisomein said.
He said there were many drug dealers but it was mainly the ones in possession that were caught.
Sgt Zisomein said the policing team could do only what they could as funding over the years had been a problem. “Over the years we have been talking about making amendments to the Drug Acts but it has fallen on deaf ears and it is still the same,” he said.
The penalty of three months minimum and two years maximum imprisonment with no fines was not a deterrent, he believed.
“We think the penalty should go up and even up to K10,000 court fine, depending on the kilos.”