Andrew
Sunday Mail Reporter
SCORES of youths from the dormitory town of Epworth yesterday conducted a march to raise awareness against rampant drug abuse by young people in their community.
The march was facilitated by Retrievers of Hope Youth Association (RHYA) in conjunction with the Ministry of Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services.
Epworth National Assembly legislator Cde Zalerah Makari (ZANU PF) said:
“Recently, we had a meeting with ZRP Epworth telling them there are some drug lords that are well-known. However, the problem goes beyond Epworth as these drugs are being smuggled into the country through our borders so we need to intensify the national campaign in the fight against substance abuse.”
In an interview on the sidelines of the march RHYA president Mr Isaac Kugarahutsva implored youths to abstain from drug abuse as it robs them of their future.
“We realise that we cannot totally eradicate drug abuse, but can raise awareness so that youths are equipped with information to make informed choices.
Here in Epworth and all-over Zimbabwe, there is rampant abuse of drugs such as crystal meth, marijuana and broncleer, to name just a few. Drug abuse has become a pandemic that we need to fight.”
Epworth resident Mrs Veronica Kamutenga (47) said youths in the dormitory town are “going to the extremes of boiling diapers and sanitary pads to get intoxicated.”
Zimbabwe Republic Police Epworth community liaison officer Sergeant Maliana Davis urged parents to offer guidance to their children as “some parents tend to divert all their energies to bread and butter issues, while neglecting the moral upbringing of their youngsters.”
Online Reporter