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Liberty Dube
Post Correspondent
ALL roads lead to Robert Mugabe Square in Harare on Monday, February 21, where young people from across the country’s 10 provinces, including Manicaland, will converge to celebrate the National Youth Day.
The event will be held under the theme ‘Alleviate substance and drug abuse by the youth’.
The event will see young people celebrating the special day through music, dance and poetry, among other activities.
National Youth Day is set aside to recognise and celebrate the contributions made by Zimbabwe’s young people in building the country.
During the commemorations, various stakeholders also take the opportunity to raise awareness on the effects of substance and drug abuse, among other things.
Deputy Director responsible for Communications and Advocacy in the Ministry of Youth, Sport, Arts and Recreation, Mr Ranson Madzamba said it is now all systems go for the celebrations.
“All youths from across the country will travel and gather at designated points from where they will march and clean the streets on their way to the Robert Mugabe Square where President Mnangagwa will address them,” he said.
He added: “Drug and substance abuse among young people is on the rise in Zimbabwe. Research shows that it is prevalent in urban areas and above 57 percent among young people.
Zimbabwe’s population is relatively young. About 67 percent of the population is below the age of 35, while those between the ages of 15 and 35 are 36 percent.
“Young people are an important part of the national economic eco-system. Zimbabwe seeks to transform into an upper middle class economy by 2030. It is incumbent upon young people to be the major contributors to the achievement of Vision 2030.
‘‘However, with the threat of drug and substance abuse, there is an ever-growing fear of failing to harness the youth economic dividend,” he said.
Mr Madzamba said drug and substance abuse are a threat to economic growth as they are to personal, communal and institutional well-being.
“Most physical and psychological problems among youths are largely related to abuse of drugs and other substances. Behaviour such as violence, vandalism, engaging in unprotected sex, damage to family and social relationships, personal injury, and several medical problems are to a large extent associated with drug and substance abuse.
“The list of the effects of drug and substance abuse is endless – child abuse, sexual abuse, reduced decision making ability, increased vehicle fatalities, juvenile delinquencies and other related problems.
“Family networks, peer influence, and other social networks are reportedly key propagators of drug and substance abuse,” he said.
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