Alcoholic drinks known as gins or Jena Far widely available in Juba. (Courtesy).

South Sudanese musician Mister Lengs calls on young people to cease taking the affordable and harmful alcoholic drinks popularly known as “Jena Far.”

Lengs has started a campaign against the cheap liquor widely available in shops, bars and restaurants in Juba and other parts of the country.

The alcoholic product of the gin family made from juniper berries and other ingredients, is mostly taken by young people.

Mr. Lengs said he is set to start a campaign against the alcohol consumption among young people – a phenomenon that “has destroyed youth and made them lazy and unemployed.”

The singer said he has composed a song which awaits release during his official launch of the campaign expected to start next week.

“Jena far is what I have seen with our youth. They are dying. It’s very cheap and everyone can afford it and that’s the problem. I understand times are hard, but that doesn’t mean people should be drinking or running to alcohol. This is a real silent war with alcoholism,” he said speaking to Eye Radio’s Soundtrack Show on Thursday.

“I have decided that as a father, as a leader and as a musician I can’t keep quiet while the youth are dying because of Jena far.”

In 2015, singer Mr. Lengs won the Overall Artiste of the Year from Eye Radio Music Awards, for his four hit songs in 2014.

“You see young people looking very bad health wise, you find whenever there is a problem in someone’s house the first thing they run to is Jena Far.”

“At least let them reduce the intake if they can’t stop, even artists you see them abusing this harmful liquor Jena Far. This excessive intake of Jena Far leads to even crimes you see most of this people indulged in crimes they are never sober.”

In the last two years, police in Juba, Rumbek, Bor and other cities have attempted to regulate the import and production of the small-bottled gin alcohol to discourage consumers.

Juba police, directed by Mayor Michael Allah-Jabu seized about four thousand cartons of the ‘Jena Far’ liquor early this year.

Allah-Jabu told the media that the alcohol currently distilled in Gumbo Sherikat, is putting the health of citizens, especially young people, at risk.