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Munyaradzi Musiiwa, Midlands Correspondent
THE Ministry of Health and Child Care will this year conduct a survey on drug abuse amid reports that there has been a surge in drug and substance abuse among youths most of whom are in tertiary institutions.
In an interview, the deputy director Alcohol and Drug Abuse in the Ministry of Health and Child Care, Mrs Docas Sithole, said there had been an alarming increase in cases of drug abuse by youths which has prompted the ministry to conduct a survey on drug and substance abuse.
Mrs Sithole said the survey would help Government deal with issues of drug and substance abuse as well as offering rehabilitation facilities for youths. She said drug and substance abuse was rampant among street children as well as youths in Harare and other urban centres.
“We want to conduct a survey on drug and substance abuse in the country. This will be done by the Ministry of Health and Child Care this year.
“We are waiting for funds to be availed and we will be able to start the survey. Our main concern is the increase in drug and substance abuse by youths. We have had serious cases of drug abuse in Budiriro and Mufakose high density suburbs.
“We have also realised that street children are among a high number of those abusing drugs,” she said.
The Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) announced last year that more than 5 000 Zimbabweans were convicted of drug-related crimes. Police national spokesperson Senior Assistant Commissioner Charity Charamba announced last year that in the period from January to December 2015, 5 445 people were arrested on various drug related crimes.
Snr Asst Comm Charamba indicated that ages between 15 and 35 were the major users or abusers of drugs. A total of 5 273 people were charged for various drug-related offences which included importing dangerous drugs, selling, manufacturing, possession and unlawful possession of drugs.
Mrs Sithole said the surge in drug abuse was caused by the multi-currency system and high rate of migration. She said the ministry was also prioritising tertiary institutions in the fight against drug and substance abuse.
“We have engaged all colleges and universities and we embarked on vigorous awareness campaigns to stop and discourage drug and substance abuse,” she said.
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