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Dear Sir/Madam,
Individuality comes naturally to humans and what marks us as unique persons
in their own right. Fine I have no quarrel with that. However when that individuality
affects the group norms followed by the group, and which enable us to coexist
peacefully then the offender should be suitably rebuked.
Kelele Ring Tones, they of the 'Dial a ring tone or logo' fame have taken Kenyan mobile
owners by storm allowing them to customize their phones with unique tones and logos. If you are
the kind that goes in for the long tunes to alert you to a call then you can choose from as wide
a range as being patriotic with the National Anthem, spiritual with 'Amazing grace' or back to
your roots with ‘mugithi’ tunes.
To round up your phone customization you can then choose a logo. And here is
where the folks at Kelele totally miss the bus. At a time when Kenyans are just
waking up to the dangers of drug abuse among the youth who are probably the
majority subscribers to this service), they decide to issue a logo extolling
'bhang' (marijuana) This is the logo 'Ganja Club' with a picture of bhang (marijuana)
This is the logo 'Ganja Club' with a picture of marijuana (ganja) on the side
of the emblem.
I think this is the height of folly and makes a mockery of the valiant efforts of those who
are fighting daily against the rising tide of drug abuse. It belittles these efforts and one
would not be blamed for feeling that they are thumbing their noses at the whole drug use
effort.
As if this were not enough the a few weeks later they have introduced another one which
is in my opinion even worse. This one exhorts you 'Don't drink n Drive. Smoke Weed n Fly'
So what are they going to make available next? The owners of Kelele Ring Tones cannot be
totally unaware that there is a serious problem with the use of alcohol and other drugs in this
country so are they trying to also throw in their 10 cents worth? This is the complete abdication
of responsibility.
Recently there was a report in The East African weekly about a marijuana-scented cellphone
covers caused so much uproar that the company selling them had to withdraw them from a technology fair
in Sydney. The local authorities and the New South Wales, state Premier, Bob Carr, slammed the
green marijuana-motif covers as promoting drug use to young people.
You might be the proprieters of this company, but it is probably your kids, or nephews and nieces
who will smoke this stuff and consume alcohol and other drugs. When this happens do you blame the
child, the government, God or the fates? We are the first line of education and setting example
as role models to our children. We are the first people who should teach them about the dangers of
drug use, not encourage them to use and make drug usage look trendy.
It is all very well to say freedom of marketing. But what pride does one get
in glorifying an illegal drug which is already causing so much anguish and pain
in Kenya? Do Kelele Ring Tones really feel proud that they are contributing
to illicit drug use in the country especially among the impressionable youth?
We have in Kenya entered a new age. An age of collective responsibility especially
for those not old enough to make correct decisions concerning their lives. Those
who are still too young to differentiate fact from fiction. This new age can
only dawn if we all pull together in the same direction.
Come on Kelele keep up the otherwise good work of making our phones as individual
as we are. But don’t even joke about the drugs issue. Alcohol and other drugs
hurt and break families, cause heartache and terrible anguish that I can't even
begin to quantify. And they kill! All of us should fight the drug culture. Don't
say it is not your problem, as you don't use. With alcohol and other drugs,
whether you use or not you are affected sooner or later. Your daughter or mother
being raped by a bunch of youth high on 'ganja' would shatter your world.
But that is what happens. No less a person than Mr. Joseph Kaguthi, the Kenyan
drug czar is on record numerous times detailing how 'bhang' raises the desire
but reduces the performance leading to the increase in gang rapes we have seen
all over Kenya including school kids.
In a nutshell when it comes to
drugs, 'They use - You lose'. I should know. I’ve been there.
David Ogot snr.
Recovering Alcoholic,
2nd May 2003
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