adminYESTERDAY, we ran a story which can be alternatively headlined “Death At A Funeral”.
It involves a reckless Kuwadzana imbiber, who was known in the ghetto for abusing the illicit brew known as Kambwa, in street lingo.
The 36-year-old, who was bidding farewell to his late friend, shocked mourners when he decided to mimic their lifestyle, in dangerous fashion.
He is said to have brought five litres of the illicit brew, which he downed in full view of the mourners.
In vernacular, it’s known as Chisahwira.
This practice, which is meant to comfort mourners, sees a close friend mimicking the deceased’s antics.
But, in this case, the Kuwadzana mourner, who ended up having an overdose of the illicit brew they used to take together, collapsed and died.
It became a double tragedy, delaying the burial of his friend.
Mourners were also stuck with two bodies in one room.
As strange as it may sound, there are more lessons to be learnt from this horror show.
It’s sad how society treats such drug and substance addicts as heroes/heroines.
In worst scenarios, we have also seen robbers, prostitutes and other people who terrorised residents, being celebrated when they die.
Surely, we can’t celebrate such outcasts.
As a nation, we are only promoting immorality by not whipping these morons into line.
The best way to show them the light is through education as this cancer is now out of hand.
It’s also shocking to note that suppliers of these drugs are well-to-do people who don’t even consume these substances.
How these peddlers of dangerous substances and drugs have not been brought to book, boggles the mind.
Some of these drug lords boasts of having strong connections who will always rescue then once they face arrest.
While addiction is hard to fight, it takes a collective effort whereby stakeholders need to put their minds together and stop this cancer.
So dire is the situation as teens are also being caught in this web.
It has become a common phenomenon, in most communities, to see young people taking such dangerous drugs.
Losing young people to illicit substances and drugs should never be allowed to happen at a time when the nation is seized with other matters.
As media, we will use our influence to ensure that the message is heard loud and clear.
Such campaigns should start at household level, schools and even at workplaces.
Parents/guardians should step up and monitor their children’s behaviour, especially their choice of friends, and see how they spend their pastime.
There is need for our local authorities to refurbish recreational facilities and keep our young people doing sporting activities to ensure they stay away from drugs.
Drug dealers need to be brought to book since they are well-known, along with their syndicates.
Failure to raise the bar in creating awareness against this new scourge will only create a hopeless generation of failures.
Besides drugs being harmful to health, they also kill.
This calls for all stakeholders to declare war against drug and substance abuse.
Mathew Masinge
Online Reporter