Online Reporter
Judith Phiri, Sunday News Reporter
BULAWAYO Minister of State for Provincial Affairs and Devolution, Judith Ncube has said continued engagement and collaboration is critical to combat drug and substance abuse in the country.
Substance abuse has become a growing public health crisis worldwide, and Zimbabwe is no exception.
Driven by an array of social, economic, and psychological factors, substance abuse affects all demographics in the country, contributing to health issues, social disruptions, and economic hardships.
Officially opening the Anti-Drug and Substance Abuse Sports Festival at Gifford High School in Bulawayo yesterday, the minister said there was a need for communities to come together and address one of the most pressing social challenges, which is the scourge of drug and substance abuse.
“This event’s theme reads, ‘Say No to Drugs, There is Always an Option.’ Drugs are destroying and tearing apart families, young lives, and threatening the stability and prosperity of our provinces and the whole of Zimbabwe. It is, therefore, our collective responsibility to confront this challenge, united as a nation,” she said.
“We have many substance-abuse-related social ills such as crime, domestic violence, public disorder, murder and suicide being associated with substance abuse. Our labour force is depleted because of the abuse of illicit drugs in our community. The truth of the matter is that this scourge is affecting all our lives as a nation, the poor and rich alike, thus it spares no one.”
She said it was imperative they continually make every effort to refuse, refer, reduce, and report cases of drug and substance abuse because in one way or the other everyone was affected.
Minister Ncube said with the guidance of the Zimbabwe Multi-Sectorial Drug and Substance Abuse Plan 2024-2030, as Bulawayo there was need to ensure people speak not only theoretically but practically.
“This scourge must end. As we forge ahead towards the achievement of a prosperous and empowered upper-middle society by 2030, the current situation with drug abuse must be vehemently denounced. Our very capable and visionary leader, President Mnangagwa and his Government are determined to leave no one and no place behind, when it comes to fighting drug and substance,” she added.
She said the festival was a clear message that the drug and substance abuse war could not be won without being intentional and communal.
Minister Ncube commended the recent capture of drug peddlers in Entumbane suburb and other parts of the country through the collaborative efforts of the community and the Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP).
“As Government of Zimbabwe, we continue to encourage community leaders such as the churches, to open doors to young people so that they can get assistance before they resort to substance abuse.
“Corporates are encouraged to come alongside Government to support initiatives that will empower communities to deal with this drug and substance abuse problem. Government alone cannot be left to solely respond to the plight of young people who are our workforce and the future,” she said.
Organisers of the event, Zimbabwe Liberated Girl Child in Action (ZLGCA) Executive Director, Mrs Anna Mabhena said since the declaration by President Mnangagwa, that drugs and substance abuse has become a national crisis, they have seen many efforts being taken to reduce the uptake of illicit substance as well as treating those caught up in substance misuse and abuse.
“This is a commendable direction that we are taking as a nation. I wish to thank Government for setting the pace for organisations such as ZLGCA and many others here, to heighten operations in the fight against drug and substance abuse,” she said.
