The heartbreaking tale of Evelyn, a widow in Bamenda, and her two children mirrors the struggle faced by many families in the city, as the scourge of drug trafficking tightens its grip on the youth.
She has tried in vain to get her boys to quit taking abusive substances, which are now rampantly sold in Bamenda, headquarters of the North West Region.
“My children were dismissed from school due to their addiction; they roam the neighborhood, stealing just to get more drugs,” said Evelyn, her voice trembling with desperation.
“I fear I may lose them one day to mob justice,” she added, tears welling in her eyes.
Despite Evelyn’s tireless efforts to rescue her children from the clutches of addiction, the pervasive influence of drugs within their social circles has rendered her efforts worthless.
Drug and substance abuse is an issue of public concern in Cameroon, with 21 percent of the population having used drugs at least once, the National Anti-drug Commission said in 2018.
A 2022 study conducted among youths in Buea, the capital city of the South West Region, revealed a high prevalence of substance consumption among these young people.
The study revealed that 61.6 percent of participants were current consumers of substances including Alcohol, Tobacco, Tramadol, Cannabis, Other opiates, Cocaine, and Heroin, among others.
A GLIMPSE INTO THE DRUG SCENE
In Bamenda, the drug of choice, known as “caillou,” flows freely in the Old Town neighborhood.
Dealers brazenly conduct their illicit trade right at the doorsteps of homes, with no fear of repercussions. The familiar faces of these dealers are a constant reminder of the dark reality lurking in the city.
In a chilling confession, a drug lord revealed the stark truth behind their successful operations. MMI concealed his identity for security reasons.
“I am jobless, and the drug business keeps me going. I also enjoy the cover of the administration,” he admitted, shedding light on the complicity that allows this illicit trade to thrive.
“They park their armored vehicles and pickups at our doorsteps, and we pay them,” another drug dealer revealed, without disclosing the amount.
His confession hinted at the deep-rooted corruption that enables the drug trade to flourish under the watchful eyes of the authorities.
A CRY FOR SURVIVAL
The drug lords, painted as desperate individuals struggling to make ends meet in a harsh economic climate, expressed regret over the misuse of their products.
“We regret that people misuse the drug, but the economy is bad, and we must survive,” one of them lamented.
In 2023, MMI sighted security vehicles near the drug hotspots at Old Town, Bamenda, several times, yet no decisive action has been taken by the authorities to dismantle these operations.
The business of “Caillou” in Bamenda continues unabated, leaving parents like Evelyn in a state of anguish and despair.
THE IMPACT ON YOUTH
The consequences of this unchecked drug trade reverberate throughout the city, especially among its youth.
Dr. Denis Nsame, Director of the Bamenda Regional Hospital, sounded the alarm during the opening of the Adolescent Wellness Center.
“The figures are really high,” he remarked, alluding to the rising tide of adolescent deviant behavior fueled by easy access to drugs and the armed conflict in the North West and South West Regions of Cameroon.
The conflict has driven many youths into joblessness and many who have been frustrated by the conflict resolved to drugs.
The creation of the Adolescent Wellness Center in Bamenda came as a beacon of hope in the face of the drug crisis.
It is a testament to the urgent need to address the root causes of drug addiction and trafficking and provide support for vulnerable youth.
A PLEA FOR ACTION
Evelyn’s plight, emblematic of countless families in Bamenda, underscores the urgent need for decisive action.
The cycle of addiction and despair can only be broken through a concerted effort to root out the sources of drugs, hold accountable those who enable this trade, and provide comprehensive support for affected families.
“The administration should stop aiding such a trade; it’s tearing our families apart,” said Evelyn, her voice filled with a mix of anger and desperation.
The city of Bamenda stands at a crossroads, where the future of its youth hangs in the balance. It is a call to action for authorities, community leaders, and concerned citizens to come together in solidarity against the insidious grip of drug trafficking and addiction.
Some names in this story have been altered to protect the privacy and safety of the individuals involved.
