WINDHOEK: The Namibian Police Force (NamPol) in June this year embarked on a drug awareness campaign in two regions, particularly targeting the youth as they are the primary targets of drug dealers.

This was said by the Head of NamPol’s Public Relations Division, Deputy Commissioner Edwin Kanguatjivi in a media statement availed to Nampa here on Monday afternoon.

The campaign, running under the theme ‘Say No to Drugs, Drugs Kill’, has so far only been launched in the Khomas and Kavango Regions, but will eventually be rolled out to all 13 regions.

“The reason why the police deemed it suitable to embark upon such a campaign is because of the devastating effects posed by illicit drugs to the nation. Police actions against the drug syndicates was not enough; thus the awareness campaign was needed to augment the police efforts in the combating of drug abuse,” explained Kanguatjivi.

The police are making use of various platforms such as the electronic and print media, lectures at schools and universities, and youth and community gatherings to disseminate information on the dangers associated with using drugs.

Kanguatjivi explained that with the awareness campaign, the police intends to make the public and in particular the youth more aware of the dangers of drugs and drug abuse and the consequences thereof.

As part of the campaign, project coordinators will be addressing students at the University of Namibia (Unam)’s main campus in the capital on Tuesday.

“By making this information available to the youth, we (NamPol) hope to reduce the demand for illicit drugs in Namibia,” noted the deputy commissioner.