By ILYANA Sithole- Zimba Wave Media, HARARE
With over half of the inpatients admitted in mental health institutes across the country suffering from substance induced disorder, drug and substance abuse has therefore been noted as a national disaster.
Drug and substance abuse is a serious problem that is affecting many people in Zimbabwe regardless of their gender, age, class and race. It has however been seen mostly in the youth who are now at high risk of ruining their health, relationships, education and their future as most of them turning into zombies in broad daylight.
Cough medicines, illegal alcohol, cannabis and liquor that is approved the Liquor Traders Association of Zimbabwe (LTAZ) are being consumed excessively by people. The abuse of drugs and substances has been attributed curiosity, stress, peer pressure, trauma and relationships among other causes.
As a country there is dire need to come together and raise awareness, advocate for protective measures and foster a nurturing environment. Government organizations and Non Profit Organizations such as SAYWHAT, Mubatirapamwe, Mandipa Hope, Shamwari Yemwanasikana, Fight Against Substance Abuse and Addictions are in their own capacity working with communities to curb drug abuse. The government has a task force that is spearheading efforts to eradicate the scourge. In doing so they are guided by the Zimbabwe National Drug Master Plan (2021-2025) with five facets which are demand reduction, supply reduction, harm reduction, rehabilitation and reintegration. Be that as it may ministry’s therefore need to work hand in glove to eradicate the plague.
To help aid the efforts of different organizations Shamwari Yemwanasikana was recenty at The Heritage School for their form one induction and topics raised include drug and substance abuse. This initiative aimed at creating awareness and empower the youth with knowledge that will assist them as future leaders in their life choice decision making. Drug and substance abuse has constructed a gap in various sectors as the active youths who are supposed be leading in industries are affected by dugs to an extent that they are not capable to work or suggest new ideas that promote productivity.
Currently the drug problem has escalated worldwide, including locally. There is therefore great need for recovery centres, talking to Danai a social worker from Mubatirapamwe she pointed out that indeed “this is a very big fight in which the demands for interventions far exceed human compassion”. Therefore, as individuals, private or government organizations there is need to work together and fight against this pandemic.
Rehabilitation private centres are expensive and the government centres cannot accommodate everyone. Thus in its efforts to curb this hidden pandemic in societies, last year the first stand-alone drug treatment centre was opened in Bindura. Chipadze Detox and Drug Rehabilitation Centre is meant to aid with effective treatment.
The law in Zimbabwe views drug and substance abuse as illegal and is punishable by fine or prison terms and a drug rehabilitation programme. While it is applauded as a way to reduce demand, supply and harm there is a barrier in the law as it does not view drug users as patients therefore it is easy for people to relapse due to the attitude of society members after having served a jail term of asked to pay a fine.
As we applaud efforts of different organizations and individuals, the Zimbabwe Republic Police especially the Drugs and Narcotics department is doing a commendable job in reducing supply of the drugs. In an effort to combat the manufacturing and pushing of drugs they have made many arrests and even named and shamed drug dealers in different communities across the country.
There is more that needs to be done by individuals and organizations to stop drug trafficking. Awareness drives need to increase so that the population are educated enough and together with organizations fight the pandemic. Most organizations at the moment do not have a calendar as they jus reopened from festive holiday but promise they are back in full force and be attacking the disease head-on providing their services.
Lives have been lost and families have broken down due to this pandemic. As an organization we stand together with everyone in this fight and say “NO TO DRUG ABUSE”. We encourage that as a country we need to work hand in glove to curb the pandemic and make way for a better tomorrow.
