Online Reporter
Sukulwenkosi Dube-Matutu, [email protected]
CHIEF Masuku from Gwanda District, Matabeleland South province has called for hefty penalties on drug and substance abuse offenders as part of efforts to upscale the fight against the scourge.
Speaking in an interview after the Matabeleland South drug and substance abuse resource mobilisation provincial launch in Gwanda, Chief Masuku said drug peddlers were causing severe damage to economic growth.
He said implementing various strategies, such as rehabilitation of drug and substance users, will not be effective if supply within communities is still dominant.
“It’s concerning to see the level of damage which is being caused by drug and substance abuse in our communities. Our children and even adults are always high because of drugs. They can’t contribute to developing their communities because of the state that they will be in.
“I was even more concerned during presentation of statistics when I learnt some of the people who were arrested only received fines. There is need for deterrent sentences which will discourage such illegal activities. Even if we may establish rehabilitation centres and admit people, as long as they will be released and get exposed to the drugs again then we will always have this challenge,” he said.
Matabeleland South Province recorded five deaths of people who succumbed to drug and substance abuse from January to August this year.
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