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Conrad Mupesa
Mashonaland West Bureau
Chegutu Rural District Council in collaboration with various stakeholders held an anti-drugs awareness campaign at Mhondoro-Mubaira Growth Point on Friday.
The awareness campaign was in line with President Mnangagwa’s call for Zimbabweans to join hands in the fight against drugs and other harmful substances.
It ran under the theme ‘Say No To Drugs-Fight The Habit, Find Freedom’ and attracted hundreds of youths from across the district.
Chegutu RDC chairman, Councillor Lynette Chirwa said drug and substance abuse is threatening the lives of many youths in the district.
“Our councillors have been reporting cases of drug and substance abuse in their wards. This is a cause of concern for the council which has since introduced awareness campaigns to inform youths about the dangers of drug abuse.”
Junior legislator for Mhondoro-Mubaira Stacey Sithole said the campaign was long overdue.
“As we grow up, the world is already affected and is battling with drug and substance abuse,” she said.
“These programmes should be rolled out all over the district.”
Chegutu RDC junior chairman, Tariro Muchatibaya said drug and substance abuse has robbed many youths of their future.
Dr Sibongile Sokane who runs the Manake Empowerment Trust which was part of the campaign said many campaigns have been held in urban centres, with the youths in rural areas often left behind.
She said more attention and funding need to be channelled to rural areas as trends are showing that the scourge is now also widespread in those areas.
Mhondoro-Mubaira legislator Cde Chamu Chiwanza also took part in the event through his Chamu Chiwanza Foundation.
Online Reporter
Bongani Ndlovu