Marijuana: the fastest way to self- destruction

By Valerian Kkonde                                                

PEARL NEWS SERVICE

"In our group we used to call it nkoko. But other groups called it: kibaaba, kikoola, weed, kawala, ganja, cool guy…The big boys who lured us into drug abuse had told us that we would excel in class and in playing football. They told us that we would play football like Cristiano Ronaldo, Lionel Messi or Wayne Rooney because they too use it. As we intensified our drug abuse, our performance deteriorated. Other children in school were distancing themselves from us, and called us bayaaye, and thieves. We quit school," two young boys Mark and David-their identity concealed- narrated to Pearl News Service their experience with drugs.

"Two of the big boys in that group are today real mad. Another boy was shot dead by the Local Defence personnel along Nakivubo channel, near the car-washing bay, on Nsambya-Ggaba road. He had stolen a mobile phone and even stubbed its owner."

The experience of these two 13-year old boys illustrates the dilemma many children and youth find themselves in. Many are excited by the drug dealers’ deliberate lies, which promise miracles, easy life and fun after taking to drugs.

Disappointingly, the rewards are self-destruction. Drug abuse- the consistent use of drugs for non-medical grounds- has reached alarming levels in Uganda. The Anti Narcotics Unit of the Uganda Police indicates that, every year, drug abuse and trafficking keeps increasing. Though illegal, one is bound to encounter drug abusers at every turn in broad day light as its smoking becomes more and more open and popular.

Many of the women on Kampala’s streets, selling sweets and groundnuts, are stealthily also selling marijuana. Simply ask for “that thing” or Njagala akantu” and you will be surprised by the speed and ease at which she recovers rolled marijuana from her merchandise. That marijuana readily grows in all parts of Uganda, with the exception of Kotido, explains why even mad men can access and smoke it at every turn.

Reasons for taking to drugs differ from person to person. And they can be many: desire to fit into a certain group, and curiosity, are some of the reasons. Use of alcohol and illicit drugs by other family members plays a strong role in whether children start using drugs.

All aspects of a child's environment: home, school, neighbours, help to determine whether the child will try drugs. Children who become more heavily involved with marijuana can become dependant and that is their prime reason for using the drugs. Others mention psychological coping as a reason for their use to deal with anxiety, anger, depression, and boredom.

But marijuana use is not an effective method for coping with life's problems, and staying high cannot be the way of dealing with problems and challenges of growing up.

Researchers have found that children and teens that are physically and sexually abused are at a greater risk than other young people of using marijuana and other drugs, and of beginning drug use at early age.

                                                                                                                  

The Anti-Narcotic Unit maintains that the misconception that marijuana is a performance-enhancing drug is steadily becoming an excuse for its use. But available examples instead point to disaster, self-destruction and career ruin. Diego Maradona's glorious football career was brought to a humiliating end. The late Brenda Fassie ruined her musical career, and of recent Michael Jackson. The list of great sports personalities and other celebrities facing prison sentences, suspension and humiliation at the hands of drug abuse goes on and on.

Year after year, records from the Anti-Narcotic Unit indicate that the situation in Uganda is moving from bad to worse. People as young as teenagers have become a nuisance because of drug abuse. The Unit further warns that drug abuse and drug trafficking are sure ways of destroying any attempts at rule of law and order. Other teenagers are real mad. Drug abuse has also been identified as the cause of some gruesome murders and other crimes. This stands as a warning that if you still take drug abuse lightly, it is a matter of time before you heavily pay for your negligence of this societal ill.

Marijuana is also known as Cannabis Sativa. Cannabis is a term that refers to marijuana and other drugs made from the same plant. Strong forms of cannabis include sinse milla (sin-se h-me-yah) hashish ("hash" for short) and hash oil.

All forms of cannabis are mind-altering (psychoactive) drugs; they all contain THC (delta-9-tetra hydrocannabinol), the main active chemical in marijuana. They also contain more than 400 other chemicals.

Marijuana's effect on the user depends on the strength or potency of the THC it contains.

Most ordinary marijuana has an average of 3% THC. Sinsemilla- made from the buds and flowering tops of the female plants- has an average of 7.5% THC, with a range as high as 24%. Hashish-the sticky resin from the female plant flowers-has an average of 3.6% with a range as high as 28%. Hash oil, a tar -like liquid distilled from hashish, has an average of 16% with an average as high as 43%.

Drug abusers are aware that their act is criminal. It is one reason why, just like traffickers, use slang terms to refer to a particular illicit drug. Slang terms are very many, change quickly and may even differ across sections of the city.

In spite of such terms, to conceal drug abuse, there are some signs, which can help in telling who is on illicit drugs and other psychotropic substances. A person on drugs can seem silly, dizzy, giggly, and have trouble walking. A person can also have very red, bloodshot eyes, and have a hard time remembering things that just happened.

When the early effects fade, over a few hours, the user can become very sleepy.

                                                                                                     

In addition one can detect drug abusers by signs of drugs and drug paraphernalia, including pipes and rolling papers, odour on clothes and in the bedroom. Likewise, use of                                                                                                               

Incense and other deodorizers, use of eye drops, clothing, posters and jewellery promoting drug-use can all be telling signs.

One can also look for withdrawal, depression, fatigue, carelessness with grooming, hostility and deteriorating relationship with family members and friends. In addition, changes in academic performance, increased absenteeism or truancy, lost interest in                                                                                                                 

Sports or other favourite activities, and changes in eating or sleeping habits could be related to illicit drug use.

These signs, however, may indicate problems other than use of illicit drugs. But for a responsible parent and citizen, they should not be let to pass without notice.

Marijuana -smoking affects the brain and leads to impaired short-term memory, perception, judgement and motor skills. Marijuana has adverse effects on many of the skills for driving a car. Driving while high leads to car accidents.

Within a few minutes of inhaling marijuana smoke, the user will likely, along with intoxication and poor coordination and poor sense of balance and slower reaction time. Blood vessels in the eyes expand, so the user's eyes look red.

As the immediate effects fade, usually after two to three hours, the user may become sleepy.

During a crime-reporting workshop for journalists, a police officer narrated how he witnessed drugs destroy children due to the negligence of their parents. The officer said that for a long period the children, who were his neighbours, in the flats where he stayed, hurled all sorts of obscene insults whenever he returned home. One day he got so worked up that he drew his pistol, and shot in the air in their direction. The following day the mother of the children did exactly what her children had been doing all along: shout all sorts of obscenities at the police officer.

But that when the children stopped going to school and begun feeding from the garbage skips, the abusive and careless mother ran to the same officer and begged for literature on drug abuse! It was pay back time. In any case, why wait that long?

Marijuana is clearly a dangerous drug which poses a pertinent threat to the health and well-being of children and adolescents at a critical point in their lives- when they are growing, learning, maturing and laying the foundation for their adult years. 

                                              

                                                                                                 

Children look to their parents for help and guidance in working out problems and making decisions, including the decision not to use drugs. Parents, guardians and elders are role models; their decision not to use marijuana and other illegal drugs will reinforce their message to the young.

Government too has a duty to enact and enforce laws that ensure the protection of its people. Since 1997 the law intended to arrest the now out –of- hand drug abuse and trafficking, The 1999  Narcotic Drugs and Other Psychotropic Substances Bill, has been left in the shelves to gather dust. But the destruction of the next generation waits for nobody and is in full swing. It is already rolling out its destructive tentacles but the authorities have decided to look the other side, and let it move on.

                                                                                                                  

There is no magic bullet for preventing teenage drug abuse. But parents can be influential by talking to their children about the dangers of using marijuana and other drugs, and remain actively engaged in their children's lives.

Appropriate parental monitoring can reduce future drug use even among those adolescents who may be prone to marijuana use, such as those who are rebellious, cannot control their emotions, and experience internal distress.                                                                                                              

Lack of treatment for drug addicts further compounds Uganda's demise with drug abuse. Treatment for marijuana dependence is much the same as therapies for other drug abuse problems. These include detoxification, behavioural therapies, and regular attendance at meetings of support groups such as Alcoholic Anonymous.

Currently there are no medications for treating marijuana dependence. Treatment programs focus on counselling and group support systems. From these studies, drug treatment professionals are learning what characteristics of users are predictors of success in treatment and approaches to treatment can be most helpful.

Drug-related activities fuel crime and corruption, aggravate social problems, and retard economic progress throughout the world. The Ugandan government is not taking drug abuse and trafficking seriously. Otherwise what policy or tough legislation has it to show in this regard? Pearl News Service sources intimate that some top government figures are ripping big from this illicit trade. That probably explains the snail- pace in responding to curb the vice by enacting laws that will tighten the noose around the traffickers’ necks.

The public nevertheless has to be firm in fighting drug abuse, and consistent in putting pressure on government to enact the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substance Bill of 1999. If the drug abuse casualties have failed to move government into action, public's determination will not.

                                                                                                        

Mark and David are lucky; they are being assisted to trace their direction in life. Not many are this lucky. But even if recovery were to be a guarantee, it is important to keep it at the back of one's mind that drug abuse is an experience one must avoid at all cost. Drug abuse scars may never heal and thus haunt you the rest of your life.

Marijuana use is a life-threatening substance; not at all a performance-enhancing drug. In fact, it is the fastest way to self-destruction. There is urgent need to carry out a vigorous education campaign for the public, and to have in place legislation that will curb this vice. That way, the public, especially parents, will play a major role in protecting these tender and young lives from cannabis sativa ruin.     

                                                                        

                                                                

It is president Museveni undermining Uganda’s war against corruption- Opposition Leader

By Valerian Kkonde                                 

PEARL NEWS SERVICE

Opposition Leader, Hon Nandala Mafaabi, has accused President Yoweri Museveni of deliberately undermining the war against corruption.

Nandala, the area MP for Budadiri and former Chairman of the parliamentary Public Accounts Committee (PAC), emphasized that Museveni’s failure to make corruption a risky venture, coupled with his application of different methods of treatment of corrupt cases is the reason why corruption is persisting in Uganda.

Nandala laid bare his views during an interview with Pearl News Service, after he was asked to explain the persistence of corruption in Uganda, amidst all the anti-corruption agencies, an anti-corruption legislation, a tough-talking president and a host of oversight agencies. Not to mention the many commissions of inquiry so far instituted.

“PAC has identified corruption and so have all these anti-corruption agencies. The corrupt few are also known but the problem is with the executive. The executive is supposed to prosecute. If the executive accepts to fight corruption, it must have zero tolerance to corruption. And to have zero tolerance it must not apply different methods of treatment of corruption cases. The president must be very clear in his words and actions,” he said.

Nandala Mafaabi went on to say that giving a different punishment to this person and exempting the other is undermining the fight against corruption, stressing that for the war against corruption to be fought successfully, the president must be willing to fight without exemptions.

For reference, Nandala pointed out Tanzania. He said that Tanzania’s success story against corruption is rotating on the president’s good will.

“His Excellency Jakaya Kikwete is willing to fight corruption and is leading by example. It is not too late for president Museveni to copy that.”

Defending the anti-corruption legislation in place, Nandala said that the law is able to curb graft but it is its application that is lacking.

“The law is clear. Anybody prosecuted, his assets must be confiscated and sent to prison,” Nandala pointed out, adding that another law should follow those outside the country as Tanzania is doing.

On the usefulness of the IGG to PAC Nandala said that this is yet to be seen.

“The IGG has his problems. You can’t pick one here and another there. The public will think that you are selective. If he wants to do a good job, which I must insist, he must look at all ministers when he decides to handle ministers. If he decides to look at the Permanent Secretaries then he has to look at all of them.

You can’t keep jumping from here to there.”

As an advice to the IGG, the Leader of Opposition said that he should introduce departments to do work of rapid complaints which come to his desk. He said that that is how PAC has been operating, and that he was never derailed from the activities he set his ayes on.

Nandala went on to say that because PAC does not have prosecuting powers, they had to refer some cases to the IGG but none of them was handled.

“A copy of the Auditor General’s report is also sent to the IGG. If he reads it, he would be able to see that there cases for prosecution and take them up without waiting for PAC to tell him.”

His attention drawn to parliament’s failure to lead by example, Nandala admitted that the withdrawal of the seventh parliament’s directory and the prosecution of some members over fraud and forgery was an indication that the institution is not above board, hastily adding that those are individuals tarnishing the image of parliament. He went on to say that even the current directory has problems, calling on the public to audit it.

On a positive note Nandala said that one part of parliament is willing to fight and it will fight on, and the war against corruption will be won. This, he vows, will be by going to the public court.

“We want the civil society, the public and the media to be on our side. Once they realize that their resources are being swindled, they will identify the thieves and their accomplices who have refused to take action. That is the public court where we are.”

                                                                                                                                    

                                                                               

We need reproductive health services more than the rest- PWDs

By Valerian Kkonde

PEARL NEWS SERVICE



Kasule Ronald - in wheelchair- the administrator of Access For Action Uganda,    conducting computer lessons for the members at their premises in Bbamba-Kitebi, Wakiso district. 
Photo by Valerian Kkonde/PNS                                                        



“People with disabilities look to children as their best investment; they are the ones who will push them around in the wheel chair, as well as stand by them under all circumstances. This is how provision of sexual reproductive health services come into the picture. In fact, because we are disabled, we need these services more than any other person,” observes Kasule Ronald.

Kasule Ronald is confined to his wheel chair. He is one of the living examples that render logic to the saying that disability is not inability; he is the administrator of Access for Action (ACFA) Uganda.  This is a Wakiso district based NGO in Kiteezi, in the remote village of Bbamba, that strives to realize the aspirations of PWDs.

On September 25, 2008 Uganda ratified the UN Convention on Rights and Dignity of PWDs. The willingness and desire to enable PWDs lead their life to the best is clearly stated but walking the talk is conspicuously lacking.

“We appreciate the prevailing atmosphere geared toward our wellbeing, but more effort should be directed toward implementing the changes highlighted in policy.”

For society, PWDs are thought not to have sexual feelings. Worse still, some people wrongly believe that they possess curative remedies once engaged in sex. This not only reduces them to mere objects but exposes them to HIV/AIDS, unwanted pregnancies and STDs. Thus, they are denied an opportunity to make decisions as they struggle to share the joys of motherhood and fatherhood.

Dr. Wanyana, the Commissioner Health Reproduction- Ministry of Health- told PNS that every human being has a right to access health services when need arises. She added that what is lacking on the side of service providers is knowledge of how to effectively communicate with these people. And sign language is one of the challenges.

“Health care officials are supposed to provide services to all. Those who have a negative attitude toward PWDs simply have a problem with themselves,” Wanyana observed.

“For expectant mothers with disabilities, and cannot deliver normally, we can assist them produce by applying caesarian. To ease the communication barrier, the programme is under way to teach medical officers the sign language so that they can communicate with confidence.”

Dr. Wanyana pointed out that for the provision of reproductive health services to PWDs to be successful; it has to be a two-way endeavor.

“Some PWDs also have attitude problems; they have double meaning. They tend to think that they are being despised even when you are providing them with important information and services.”

Bongole Rose, National Wheel Chair coordinator- Ministry of health- admits that providing reproductive health services to PWDs is a real challenge but that everything possible is being done to address this.

She revealed that it is now a hospital policy to have at least one adjustable delivery bed out of every ten in hospital. 

As regards PWDs being stopped from having children, a PNS medical source said that this is often done to save the mother. The source cited cases like when the pregnancy is in the tube and could kill the mother, during instances of high blood pressure and mental disturbances.

“There are issues of human rights involved. And if the pregnancy poses no threat to the mother, then she should be free have the baby. Sometimes those caring for the PWDs look at the bringing up of the children once there is no doubt that the parents will not be in a position to meet their needs.”

The source confirmed the plans to train medical officials in sign language but warned that a lot needs to be done. One reason for worry is the attitude in society, including parents, about PWDs. Many people care less about the education of PWDs.

On the issue of Braille, the source said that it is very expensive in terms of cost but that there are also many blind people who cannot read.

According to Dr. Sheila Ndyanabangi, Principal Medical Officer- Mental Health and Control of Substance Abuse- the present Health system only caters for those who come to health facilities.

“It is up to government to ensure that even the marginalized are catered for. The system does not care for those on the streets and those without any one to support them.”

Doctor Ndyanabangi is however concerned at an equally dangerous situation faced by mothers, yet not taken seriously.  Even medical officials do not often times realize it.

“When a mother delivers her baby, she is supposed to be happy. But trouble begins when maternity blues set in; the mother becomes unhappy, refuses to eat and to breast feed, cries and can commit suicide or kill the baby.”

While post natal depression can be identified and treated, the doctor said that the work- habits of today deny us the opportunity to watch the mothers and help them before it is too late.

“Traditionally, when a mother delivered her baby, members of society would give her social support for a number of days while they also monitored her situation for any anomalies. Many people do not know about post natal depression but it is very common.”

Dr. Ndyanabangi also revealed that false pregnancy is another noteworthy issue as far as reproductive healthy is concerned. She said that false pregnancy is a case faced by women with fertility problems, emphasizing that the mind and body are one but it is us human beings who try to separate them.

“These women think so much about pregnancy that they come to believe they are pregnant. They get all the signs and pains of someone who is really pregnant. Even the stomach swells and feels the “baby” turning in the stomach!”

The doctor narrated a recent case which involved operating upon a woman with a false pregnancy. She said that the doctor who was attending to the “pregnant” woman left and another took over. The doctor did not establish the status of the woman and simply kept dealing with her as one who is pregnant.

“When time for “delivery” approached, the woman was operated upon! Trouble arose as the relatives started claiming that the doctor had stolen the baby.”

Ndyanabangi however said that this situation can be over come by using the Ultra Sound Scan. She said that these machines are readily available country wide, even in Health Centers IV.

“But even without the Ultra Sound it is still possible to determine whether the pregnancy is for real or false. But most important it is always safer to refer pregnancies to referral hospitals.”

The demographic health survey, 2006, indicated that 41% of all women in the reproductive age group do not have access to family planning. Reasons for this include: the negative attitude, limited supplies, lack of trained providers, long distances to health facilities and inaccurate information about the available methods.

On the provision of mobility to persons with movement challenges, Bongole Rose said that a wheelchair is vital in equalization of opportunities because it promotes personal mobility, which is an essential requirement to participating in many areas of social life.

“Without wheelchairs, these individuals are unable to participate in those mainstream developmental initiatives like education, employment and strategies that are targeting the poor. They cannot even go to hospital.”

It is estimated that 1.5 million people in Uganda need wheelchairs. The number of wheelchair users in Uganda is increasing due to increase in number of road accidents. However the number of children with disabilities who need wheelchairs is usually underestimated because some parents hide them away.

Pointing out that inappropriate wheelchairs cause secondary disabilities, Bongole said that “an appropriate wheelchair has to meet the user’s needs and environmental conditions, provides proper fit and postural support, is safe and durable.

Bongole said that this comes about because they were not assessed.

“In Uganda, only 1% of people who need wheelchairs own or have access to one. This is caused by the high cost of production of the wheelchairs, the raw materials are usually imported and the production equipment is expensive. The majority of people who need wheelchairs are poor thus cannot afford them, they lack the purchasing power.”

A number of associations come up, and many more are cropping up, claiming to be championing the cause of PWDs. Their relevance in terms of promoting the interests of the members leaves much to be desired.

Were leaders of these associations for the PWDs to be well intentioned, there would be mobile clinics for them and many would be leading far more dignified lives than they do. PWDs would also be at the fore front of helping their colleagues, but even the associations have failed to put to use these talents.

When PNS contacted the National Union of Disabled Persons of Uganda- Program Officer HIV/AIDS, Babu- he refused to divulge any information and terminated the call. It was the same story with Kayemba Richard the Program officer, National Union of Women with Disabilities in Uganda.

Kasule reasons that it makes no sense for government to claim to be concerned about PWDs but does not empower them to access the services and programs.

“All this proves the deplorable state of the practical experience. We have a very rich policy environment right from the constitution, the National Council of Disability, the Act on Disability and the UN Convention on Rights and Dignity of PWDs. But if development is skewed towards a few, then our philosophy of development for all is empty.”

He goes on to argue that once the agent of change is considered as foreigner or outsider, then nothing is bound to change.

“We need to change the mindset of doctors and the society to appreciate the fact that PWDs too have sexual desires. PWDs are not asexual. That is why they need the reproductive health services so that they can properly plan their families.”

To the PWDs, Kasule advises that it is the time to take the initiative and be open so as to bring about the desired change. This involves being presentable, the urge to learn and the readiness to take on the challenges that come one’s way without seeking favours. And Uganda being a free market economy, PWDs should just put to use the policy environment in place, dust their talents and make use of every opportunity that avails itself.

Admitting that it is an uphill task to change the mindset of society, Kasule says that it is quite possible, looking at the challenges he encounters as the administrator at Access for Action Uganda. Without personal and reliable means of transport, he is able to leave the remote Bbamba village- home of ACFA Uganda and champion the cause of the PWDs and non disabled alike.

“This is no one man’s role; civil society, government, development partners, individuals and PWDs themselves must join hands to fight the negative attitude. We definitely need to collaborate,” Kasule emphasizes.

 

 

                                                             

Government promises to block China’s counterfeits

By Valerian Kkonde

PEARL NEWS SERVICE

With almost all of the counterfeit goods on the Ugandan market coming from China, news of blocking them from leaving the country will be received with a sigh of relief and victory.

That is if what the Uganda National Bureau of Standards (UNBS) Executive Director, Terry Kahuuma said is anything to be taken relied on.

              

“The Chinese embassy has shown willingness to assist in preventing the substandard goods from leaving the country. Already, some factories set up to solely produce counterfeits have been shut down.”

The Director made this revelation while issuing certification awards to Huawei Technologies Ltd, a Chinese telecom solutions provider on June 30. The Terminal, Main and Auxiliary equipment awards mean that Huawei products meet customer needs and the requirements of the law.

UNBS is mandated to regulate standards and quality, as well as promote trade.

Huawei is a leading telecom equipment provider for the Ugandan market for the last ten years. Equipments include mobile phones and internet modems among others. Most direct recipients of Huawei’s products are the service providers.

In April 2011, Huawei entered an understanding with UNBS to undertake inspection, audit and related processes and verification of the quality of Huawei manufactured equipment and the related production and supply.

China ambassador to Uganda, Mr. Sun Heping said that “by assisting Chinese qualified companies to expand their businesses in Uganda, government made the right decision and will not be let down.

“Huawei should consider this certification as an honour to treasure, and an obligation to observe and even work harder to safeguard the good image of Chinese companies and products.”

Information and Communications Technology is Uganda’s fastest growing sector, with a 21.2% growth per year. During the 2010/2011 financial year, the sector contributed 300 billion shillings to the economy.

With a population of 32 million, the country has at least 12 million telephone lines majority being mobile phones.