By Violet Nabatanzi

Forty-five percent of the youths have confessed that they have taken drugs and alcohol, according to the data collected by Uganda Youth Development Link (UYDEL).

UYDEL senior programme Manager, Rogers Mutaawe, said the majority of the youths in the country take Marijuana, alcohol and others use heroine.

The majority of the young people, according to the report, were using drugs and alcohol as something to help them go through difficult situations.

Speaking at the launch of the prevention-smart parents’ guide at Uganda Museum, Mutaawe said, “The number of victims is increasing”.  

Mutaawe observed the need to put more focus on prevention in order to curb the problem.

He recommended that children and young offenders be directed towards compulsory rehabilitation, counseling and treatment for psychosocial support rather than incarceration.  

“Many people end up in prison where they learn adverse behavior and become hardcore criminals,”Mutaawe said.

The deputy Executive director, Anna Nabulya, said the new guide aims at offering parents with ways to prevent drug use by their children.

It also emphasizes the importance of use of clear, positive communication between parents and children.