Drug abuse: SDA Church opens rehab centres

THE Seventh-day Adventist Church has established rehabilitation facilities across Zimbabwe to tackle the escalating issue of drugs and substance abuse.

During an awareness-raising campaign at Ntshonalanga SDA Church in Nkulumane 12, Bulawayo Provincial Affairs and Devolution Minister, Judith Ncube, said ending drugs and substance misuse is a community-wide responsibility for safeguarding the country’s future.

She stressed that substance abuse poses a severe public health menace and is a socio-pathological threat to young people’s well-being and prospects since about 32 percent of Zimbabwe’s population is between the ages of 10 and 24 years.

Minister Ncube praised the SDA Church’s efforts to combat drugs and substance abuse comprehensively through its multifaceted approach, which involves community outreach programmes to educate and empower individuals on healthy lifestyles and drug dangers.

“The Seventh-day Adventist Church recognises that drug and substance abuse is not merely a moral failing, but a complex issue with deep-rooted causes. Poverty, unemployment, and lack of opportunity have created fertile ground for drug traffickers to prey on our vulnerable youth.

“Furthermore, the stigma surrounding drug use has prevented many individuals from seeking the help they desperately need.

“In the face of these challenges, the Seventh-day Adventist Church has taken a multifaceted approach to combating drug abuse in Zimbabwe,” she said.

She urged stakeholders, including parents, educators, community leaders, and Government officials, to collaborate to create a drug-free society where every Zimbabwean has access to resources for living a life free from drug addiction.

She underscored the need for policies prioritising drug prevention, treatment, and rehabilitation and providing youth with opportunities for work, education, and healthy leisure to prevent drug traffickers from preying on their vulnerabilities.

“Let us unite our voices and our actions to create a Zimbabwe where drug and substance abuse is a thing of the past and where every individual has the opportunity to reach their full potential.

“Together, we can build a nation where hope triumphs over despair, where healing replaces addiction, and where the future holds possibilities for all. May God bless our efforts and guide us in this critical mission,” she said.