Poverty forcing kids to peddle alcohol and drugs
Poverty forcing kids to peddle alcohol and drugs
December 9, 2023
Kudakwashe Kutinyo
Choice News Africa
Bulawayo – Poverty stricken parents and guardians are now failing to curb the vagaries of life, forcing them to go out of hand by letting their under aged kids to sell cigarettes and other illegal drugs in their quest to raise school fees and food.
The main places and venues for drugs peddling is now Football stadiums and pavements, where school going age kids are now selling the illegal drugs and cigarettes, without fear due to stinging poverty that has characterized the country.
Underage kid captured selling cigarettes. Pic Choice News Africa
Bulawayo community have stressed their worries over the escalating numbers of underage children selling illicit drugs and alcohol inside the Barbourfields stadium.
Children of primary school level are seen roaming across the stadium terraces carrying cigarettes and alcohol popularly known as “nchenku” in search of customers with prices ranging from US$1 to $2.
Speaking during an interview, football analyst and administrator Praise Dumi Dlakama highlighted that the mother body needs to adopt to modernisation so as to curb the escalating criminal activities within the stadium.
“Push and pull factors are some of the reasons that have forced these innocent young children to embark on illegal activities. The PSL needs to strengthen its security system at every entrance and also introduce the E-ticket, like what other countries are doing, whereby you can buy your ticket online during the week and then scan at the entrance on the match day.”
These implementations can actually reduce the massive hive of criminal activities within the stadium during match days, so basically it is very crucial for the PSL to adopt to new modern methods of digitalisation and remove the old traditional method of printing tickets which at the end of the day the same tickets will be scattered all over the stadium,” said Dlakama.
Children are exposed to vulgar language, erotic scenes mostly witnessed during celebrations and fights that’s continuously erupt.
Ms Gugulethu Muwodzi a counselling practitioner alluded that most of the activities are a result of peer pressure, family environment, traumatic experience and also economic hardships within the family.
“The family environment plays a crucial role in a child’s development and decision-making. Dysfunctional family environment, such as parental substance abuse, neglect, or exposure to violence, can increase the risk of a child engaging in drug-related activities”.
Peer pressure can have a significant impact on a child’s behavior and choices. If a child’s social circle include individuals involved in drug use or selling, they may be more likely to engage in similar activities.
Economic hardships and limited opportunities for education or employment can push children towards illegal activities, including drug selling, as a means of survival.
Children who have experienced trauma or adverse childhood experiences may be more vulnerable to engaging in risky behaviors, including drug selling, as a coping mechanism or to gain a sense of control”, said Ms Muwodzi.
Meanwhile alcohol and cigarettes are branded not for sale to children under the age of 18, but inside Barbourfields stadium young children are visibly seen roaming around selling.
It has been observed that two main methods are used to smuggle illegal drugs and alcohol into the stadium which include using a rope to pull a huge load up the terrace end, from below this is repeatedly done at the Soweto end depending on the demand of the day.
The other method involves using the main entrances whereby the security will be relaxed and does not search young children who enter carrying small bags filled with alcohol, stashed with training kit such as socks, boots and soccer jersey to disguise the security.