It would seem that “rugby boys” are again gaining notoriety.
According to a report in this newspaper, barangay officials of Capitol Site and Kamputhaw have been receiving reports of them stirring up trouble and committing crimes in those areas.
“Rugby boys” is a generic term for street kids who sniff industrial glue to get rid of hunger pangs. But sniffing industrial glue can also cause a high that encourages them to engage in rowdy, risky, and even violent behavior.
The same report says that while barangay officials “rescue” so-called rugby boys, it would seem they are back in the streets in no time.
Clearly something is wrong here; whether it is in how these youths are “rescued” or what happens after they are rescued. Or in teaching them how to appreciate a life that isn’t wasted.
This isn’t something we should take lightly because today’s troubled youth are likely to grow up to become tomorrow’s criminals.
Let’s not forget that just last month a 13-year-old was shot dead by two unidentified men in Sitio Lahing-Lahing 2, Barangay Mabolo, Cebu City, over drugs. Yes, he was already a drug dealer during his first year as a teenager as evidenced by the drug sachets found on him.
In fact, his mother also said her son had been involved in drugs since he was nine years old, thanks to the influence of his drug-addicted friends.
This just paints a terrible picture of what can happen to some kids if they fall under the influence of drugs at an early age.
We aren’t saying that rugby boys will definitely 100% turn into drug dealers, but we cannot ignore the fact that those who use drugs or experiment with other volatile substances and those who deal drugs move within the same social circles.
It won’t take much effort for a user of one substance to try another, or for a user to turn into a dealer.
For a city that is supposedly one of the most influential in the country we have too many kids running around and doing stuff they shouldn’t be. This issue must be addressed immediately.