FILE PHOTO: Hon. Adeng Andrew Malual Leek, Undersecretary of the National Ministry of Gender, Child and Social Welfare - Courtesy

The Undersecretary at the Ministry of Gender, Child, and Social Welfare, Adeng Andrew Deng Leek, has called for immediate, coordinated regulation of the market to halt unchecked youth access to illicit drugs and alcohol across South Sudan.

Speaking on The Dawn Talk Show on Monday, June 8, Adeng stated that substance abuse and alcoholism have penetrated almost every household, affecting children as young as 14.

The Undersecretary attributed the rise in youth addiction to a lack of market regulations, noting that minors purchase alcohol and drugs without restriction.

Adeng added that economic pressures often force mothers to spend long hours working in markets, diminishing parental supervision and leaving children vulnerable to negative influences.

“I’ve seen the issue of drugs abuse and also the issue of alcohol and the issue of access to substance, you know, there is serious abuse of those things,” Adeng said.

“I can say every family, every household have a child that might be facing the issue of drug abuse or even alcoholism. I’ve seen children of young age of 15, 14 and those are the children, I can say even 18 is still young, though they say 18 from 18 you’re an adult. But this access to it, there is no control in the market, you know, children are having access to drugs and alcohol without being controlled.”

Adeng also raised concern over unauthorized youth gatherings that take place without parental permission or law enforcement oversight. The Undersecretary linked unmonitored substance abuse directly to rising rates of crimes, including theft, homicide, and sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV).

“Every child under the 18 years and the 18 years all has to be controlled by the parents and the communities, even the authorities,” Adeng stated.

“It is a serious issue that will bring the issue of sexual gender-based violence. It is a serious issue that will bring the issue of thefts, you know, killing and all these things. So in order to have a better South Sudan, we need to control it now.”

The Undersecretary emphasized that mitigating this crisis requires a multi-sectoral approach, stating that the Ministry of Gender, Child, and Social Welfare cannot solve the issue in isolation.

Adeng called for a joint intervention involving the Juba City Council, the police, the Ministry of Youth and Sports, and the Ministry of Trade and Industry to enforce market controls and restore public order.