Chronicle Editor
Vusumuzi Dube , Online News Editor
LEGAL liquors approved by the Liquor Traders Association of Zimbabwe (LTAZ) and cannabis (mbanje) top the types of drugs that are being abused in Bulawayo, a research has shown.
According to a Unicef September 2023 research brief dubbed, “Understanding drug use and substance abuse by Zimbabwean adolescents and young people,” 57,3 percent Alcohol Drugs and Substance Abuse (ADS) victims in the country abuse illegal alcohol, while legal liquors account for 50 percent.
“In the study, skunk, cannabis, illegal alcohol, cough medicines, and liquors approved by the Liquor Traders Association of Zimbabwe (LTAZ) were used by more than 50 percent of the ADS abusers. Daily consumption was measured in the 30 days preceding the Zimbabwe Civil Liberties and Drug Network study. 76,5 percent skunk; 75,1 percent cannabis; 57,3 percent illegal alcohol; 56 percent cough medicines; and 50,6 percent legal alcohol.
“Alcohol, drugs and other substances abuse is (41 percent) in girls compared to boys (59 percent). According to the Muthengo Development Solutions study, dealers’ homes or place of operations see the highest level of consumption at 46 percent; with 32 percent using at a friend’s house. Nine percent of the study participants claim that sellers are widely known in communities and sell indiscriminately to all ages,” reads part of the research.
In Bulawayo, with the researchers using a sample size of 53, legal liquor topped the substance being abused at 67,92 percent, followed by mbanje at 62,26 percent, 56,6 percent of the sample use skunk, crystal meth and illegal alcohol are each used by 49,06 percent of the sample population while cough syrup was used by 37,74 percent.
Other drugs and substances being abused in Bulawayo include powder cocaine (11,32 percent), pharmaceuticals (7,55 percent), crack cocaine (7,55 percent), heroine (7,55 percent), glue (5,66 percent), nyaope (5,66 percent) while 3,77 percent of the sample group said they use other types of drugs.
“Costs are low, with users spending on average, US$2 to satisfy their needs. Across ADS distribution transit corridors, such as Chipinge, the cost of ADS is even lower and easy to acquire, alcohol, drugs, and other substances abuse is higher in urban areas than rural. The main reason is the stronger community childcare system and closer parental care that prevails in rural communities.
“The Youth Advocates Zimbabwe study revealed disturbing patterns directly attributable to ADS abuse: 70 percent of gang violence is among school children; 15 percent of intimate partner violence (IPV) and gender-based violence (GBV) cases involve adolescents and young people; 40 percent of suicide attempts are linked to ADS abuse; and an increase in school dropouts with 60 percent having dropped out of school after being expelled for ADS abuse,” reads the report.
The report further revealed that drug lords were now selling to everyone, disregarding age, with children as young as 10 years old already being addicts.
Online Reporter