Online Reporter
Victor Maphosa
Mashonaland East Bureau
THE establishment of Marondera Rehabilitation Centre is almost complete, with only a few touch-ups left before the building can serve drug and substance addicts.
The building, which used to be a council bar, is being converted into one of the biggest rehabilitation centres in Mashonaland East, as Government continues to put concrete measures in place aimed at addressing drug and substance abuse issues, especially among the youth.
Government is establishing rehabilitation centres across the country, which is a major step towards assisting individuals to overcome addiction.
These centres are being established to serve as safe havens for people to get professional help, away from triggers and negative influences.
They offer medical support, therapy and coping strategies to manage withdrawal and help individuals stay sober as they are prepared for reintegration into society.
Recently, Minister of State for Provincial Affairs and Devolution for Mashonaland East, Advocate Itayi Ndudzo, visited the site to assess progress.
“We are establishing a rehabilitation centre here in Marondera. This is going to be a facility that will provide rehabilitation services to those in the province who might have been affected by abusing drugs and substances.
“This facility is a joint collaboration between the Ministry of Health and Child Care and the Ministry of Local Government and Public Works, and Marondera Municipality. What we have attempted to do here is to turn water into wine. This was a public beerhall called Kasipiti and we thought of converting it into a rehabilitation centre because we have seen that the infrastructure is ideal and perfect for the purposes that we require it to be used for, that is, to be a rehabilitation centre,” Advocate Ndudzo said.
He went on to say all the works will be completed soon.
“All the furniture and personnel required to complete works are in situ. So we are on course. This is going to be the first facility to be commissioned in the province, and soon, we will also be commissioning another one in the Mangwende area of Murehwa district. The resources are already available.
“The ultimate expectation is to have a rehabilitation centre in every district,” he said.
In August last year, Mashonaland East Province raised more than US$400 000 towards the fight against drug and substance abuse.
Minister Ndudzo said part of the funds raised are now going towards funding various programmes meant to fight drug and substance abuse in the province, including the establishment of the Marondera Rehabilitation Centre as well as many other centres dotted across the province.
The money was pledged by various organisations and individuals during a Drug and Substance Abuse Provincial Fundraising programme held in Marondera.
The province had set a target to raise US$250 000.
Government is making concerted efforts to establish rehabilitation centres across the country, which are crucial in the fight against the drug and substance abuse scourge.
In this regard, to fully fund these programmes, a National Resource Mobilisation Programme was launched at State House by President Mnangagwa last year, where provinces were subsequently tasked to follow suit.
