Online Reporter
Mkhululi Ncube, Zimpapers Writer
DRUG and substance abuse has emerged as the most pressing concern for villagers in Ward 2 of Bulilima Rural District Council during the development of their Disaster Risk Reduction Strategy.
Villagers expressed deep concern over the impact of the scourge, which they say is destroying the lives of young people, with reports of alcohol-related deaths among youths on the rise. They noted that many young people — and even some elders — spend most of their time drinking at local shops, which are far from the reach of law enforcement due to the distant location of police stations.
With support from civic organisation Safire, villagers from six villages under Ward 2 recently came together to produce the strategy document.
Ward 2 councillor, Ambassador Mabhed Ngulani, said the process involved Government agricultural extension officers, village heads, ward co-ordinators, environmental health educators and women co-ordinators.
He explained that the first step was to produce a ward profile capturing cultural and religious practices, followed by the identification of major risks affecting the community.
“Drug and substance abuse was ranked as the number one challenge, followed by frequent droughts, high crime levels, human-wildlife conflicts — mainly from jackals, baboons and hyenas destroying small livestock — teenage pregnancies, inadequate water sources, unattended livestock during the farming season and risky sexual behaviour,” said Councillor Ngulani.
He added that the ward’s action plan also outlines solutions to these challenges.
To address drug and substance abuse, the plan calls for the prosecution of drug peddlers and those selling alcohol to minors, as well as the creation of safe platforms for men to openly discuss the issue.
For drought mitigation, the plan recommends climate-smart agricultural practices such as Intwasa, planting early-maturing and drought-resistant crops, culling old livestock to generate income, and farmer training programmes.
To curb crime, the plan proposes the establishment of community reporting channels and ensuring that beer outlets adhere to regulated operating hours.
In response to human-wildlife conflict, residents are urged to pen their livestock and avoid night-time hunting with torches, which exacerbates the problem.
The action plan also prioritises continuous health and sexual education for teenagers to help reduce early pregnancies, while ensuring that perpetrators of child abuse are arrested.
To address water shortages, the plan calls for the construction of more dams and the promotion of water harvesting techniques.
Councillor Ngulani said follow-up meetings will be held to ensure that the agreed solutions are implemented. — @themkhust
