By Edwin Mbewe
LUSAKA-(MaraviPost)-Zambia’s Munali is facing a growing battle for its young people, with newly elected Member of Parliament (MP) Thomas Sipalo, popularly known as Diffikoti, sounding the alarm over the deadly combination of unemployment, lack of opportunities and the easy availability of cheap drugs.
Only days after being elected into office, Sipalo has wasted little time in turning his attention to one of the most pressing social challenges facing his constituency.
MaraviPost has seen the appeal posted by Sipalo on his official Facebook page on Monday morning, 24 August 2026, in which he warned that the absence of opportunities, coupled with easy access to cheap drugs, could push more young people into addiction and ultimately destroy their futures.
His warning was blunt, “No opportunities + easily accessible cheap drugs = more addiction.”
And behind those words lies a much bigger concern.
More addiction could mean more crime, broken homes and a generation of young people losing their future.
Sipalo argues that the problem cannot simply be treated as a policing matter.
According to him, young people who wake up every day without jobs, skills, meaningful activities or hope can easily become vulnerable to substance abuse. When cheap drugs are readily available in their communities, the temptation and risk become even greater.
For Munali, Sipalo says, the response must therefore go beyond arrests.
‘We cannot arrest our way out of this problem’
The MP has called for a two-pronged strategy to confront the crisis.
On one side, he wants jobs, skills-training programmes, sports, entrepreneurship and other opportunities that can give young people a reason to stay away from drugs and a legitimate way to earn a living.
On the other, he wants communities to work hand-in-hand with the police, law-enforcement agencies, community leaders and parents to cut off the supply of illicit drugs in Munali.
His message is that enforcement without prevention will not be enough.
“You cannot arrest your way out of this problem alone,” is the essence of Sipalo’s appeal.
From campaign stage to the ground
The intervention comes just days after Sipalo secured his election victory in Munali.
Known to millions of Zambians through comedy as Diffikoti, Sipalo has moved quickly from the campaign trail to issues facing residents on the ground.
After a tiresome campaign in which he went into communities seeking votes, the newly elected lawmaker is now turning his attention to delivering on the promises he made to the people of Munali.
His latest appeal suggests that youth empowerment and the fight against drug abuse could become an important part of his early agenda as Member of Parliament.
But Sipalo is also acknowledging that government and law enforcement cannot win the battle alone.
A call for counsellors
In a direct appeal to professionals and individuals within the constituency, Sipalo has called on people with psychosocial counselling skills to come forward and help support young people battling substance abuse and related challenges.
Those willing to contribute to the initiative have been asked to contact him via WhatsApp on 0977 524 569.
The urgency behind the appeal is clear: Munali’s young people need more than warnings—they need opportunities, support and hope.
For Sipalo, the choice facing the constituency is stark.
Give young people opportunities before addiction takes hold, or risk watching another generation slip through the cracks.
Munali, he says, must choose prevention. Munali must choose opportunity. And above all, Munali must choose hope for its youth.
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