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Victor Maphosa Mashonaland East Bureau
Drug and substance abuse should be dealt with decisively because it is a major contributing factor to gender-based violence, Youth Empowerment, Development and Vocational Training Minister Tino Machakaire said this week at an anti-drug and substance abuse campaign at Sadza Growth Point in Chikomba District.
“This anti-drug and substance abuse campaign programme, which is being run under the theme, ‘Fighting drug and substance abuse to eradicate Gender Based Violence’, is also being done during the same period when the country is commemorating the 16 days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence, a campaign to challenge violence against women and children,” he said.
“May I also take this opportunity to express my disdain for the continued increase in cases of violence against women and children. As you might be aware, drug and substance abuse is one of the underlying causes of gender-based violence.
“Partners who abuse drugs are more likely to be violent against their spouses or children. This may involve not only sexual violence, but also physical and psychological violence.”
Minister Machakaire said most criminals were not born criminals, but turned to crime because addiction to drugs propels them to commit crimes like murder, robbery, rape and theft.
“On many occasions, victims are attacked by weapons; some are strangled or choked all due to the influence of drug and substance abuse,” he said. “That is why we are calling for the fight against drug abuse to eliminate gender-based violence.”
Minister Machakaire rallied the nation to unite in the fight against drug and substance abuse, which is threatening the lives of many young people.
“We are gathered here to confront a challenge that affects us all, the pervasive threat of drug and substance abuse,” said Minister Machakaire.
“Indeed, this campaign came at a time when the clarion call to fight against drug and substance abuse has grown even louder and I sincerely believe there is no greater service than coming together like what we have done today to support this cause of fighting drug and substance abuse.”
It was important for young people to stop drug abuse for the attainment of Vision 2030.
“Therefore, if we fail to save the youth of today, the future that we envisage will not be achieved because there will not be others to take over from us,” he said. “Let me hasten to state that as the Minister of Youth Empowerment, Development and Vocational Training, I have witnessed first-hand the devastating impact that drugs have had on our community.
“The young and the elderly are taking different types of drugs such as crystal meth (guka/mutoriro), mbanje, cocaine, heroin and broncleer and other illicit brews such as Kambwa, chikokiyana, mudzepete and njengu.”
The consequences of drug and substance abuse go beyond the individual, said Minister Machakaire, as they permeate through families, schools, and the societal fabric.
He said drug and substance abuse had the power to dismantle communities, leaving devastation in its wake, hence the need to ensure everyone plays a part in the fight against drug abuse.
Online Reporter