this is the governments best weapon.

chil soldiers

"With new weapons that are lightweight and easy to fire, children are more easily armed, with less training than ever before. Worldwide, more than half a million children under-18 have been recruited into government armed forces, paramilitaries, civil militia and a wide variety of non-state armed groups in more than 85 countries. At any one time, more than 300,000 of these children are actively fighting as soldiers with government armed forces or armed political groups.

Often recruited or abducted to join armies, many of these children - some younger than 10 years old - have witnessed or taken part in acts of unbelievable violence, often against their own families or communities. Such children are exposed to the worst dangers and the most horrible suffering, both psychological and physical. What is more, they are easily manipulated and encouraged to commit grievous acts, which they are often unable to comprehend. Many girl soldiers are expected to provide sexual services as well as to fight."

Most of this happens in places like Africa. They are often supplied with drugs, become addicted, and then rely on those who arm and order them for their "high." You don't even need to feed or pay them. They rape and pillage the communities for their food and other needs. The leadership just has to keep them high, which is relatively cheap compared to paying and feeding them.