Online Reporter
Sikhumbuzo Moyo
THE Minister of Environment, Climate and Wildlife Dr Evelyn Ndlovu, is today (Thursday) set to officiate at the Bulawayo Metropolitan province’s drug and substance abuse luncheon.
The event, to be attended by various stakeholders from the medical, social services and security organs, will be held at a local hotel.
Bulawayo Minister of State for Provincial Affairs and Devolution Judith Ncube will give welcome remarks at the luncheon before Minister Ndlovu delivers her keynote address.
Ingutsheni Hospital Chief Medical Officer, Dr Nemache Mawere, will also present a paper on the subject.
According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), substance abuse refers to the harmful or hazardous use of psychoactive substances, including alcohol and illicit drugs.
One of the key impacts of illicit drug use on society is the negative health consequences experienced by its members. Drug use also puts a heavy financial burden on individuals, families and society.
“The evolution of the complex global illicit drug problem is clearly driven by a range of factors. Sociodemographic trends are influential such as the population’s gender, age and the rate of urbanization,” says WHO.
It says cannabis remains the most widely used illicit substance in the African region and the highest prevalence and increase in use is being reported in West and Central Africa with rates between 5.2 and 13.5 percent.
The World body said Amphetamine-type stimulants (ATS) such as “ecstasy” and methamphetamine now rank as Africa’s second most widely abused drug type.
Injecting drugs carries a high risk of infection with bloodborne viruses such as HIV, hepatitis B and hepatitis C, and the sharing of contaminated needles and syringes is an important mode of transmission for those viruses, said WHO.
According to the organisation, harmful use of alcohol results in 3.3 million deaths each year and on average every person in the world aged 15 years or older drinks 6.2 litres of pure alcohol per year.
