Harare to reopen drug rehab centres

Remember Deketeke

Herald Correspondent

Harare residents have hailed Government’s efforts to reopen drug rehabilitation facilities in the city to deal with the drug and substance abuse menace.

This came out during a tour by Harare Metropolitan Provincial Affairs and Devolution Minister Charles Tawengwa and the Harare Province Drug and Substance Abuse Committee of facilities that would be turned into rehabilitation centres.

The group toured Tendayi Ward at Beatrice Road Infectious Disease Hospital, Tsiga Grounds in Matapi, Highfield Community Hall and Kambuzuma Hall.

Minister Tawengwa said the city is behind schedule in terms of opening and accommodating drug abusers.

“This initiative was launched by the President this year, we were supposed to open some of the facilities this year, however, we are behind and hope that we at least open one such facility and halfway home centres before year-end,” he said.

Harare Metropolitan Province, acting provincial health officer Betty Zofanaya said the province is now at a stage where it can open one of the rehabilitation centres.

“Although we are battling with finances, all now is in place for the opening of one of the rehabilitation centres that we have identified with a few processes that the municipality needs to do remaining,” she said.

“What we are currently battling with is the conversion of some centres like the Matapi Community Hall into a fully functional rehabilitation centre.”

One resident in Mbare, Isaiah Mudhenya said the initiative will help end drug abuse.

“Mbare is rapidly changing into a big drug hub with youths being the most affected as many houses have turned into drug bases,” he said. “This initiative though it will start with low numbers, will see many youths being saved from this scourge,” he contended.

Another resident in Harare, Ms Mitchell who refused to give her last name, said everyone should take a firm stand against drug and substance abuse.

“We want to make sure that people, especially tomorrow’s future, the youths from all over are saved from this. We fully appreciate the Government’s initiative in trying to reopen these rehabilitation centres. We want to thank the Government for not folding its hands and watching while our children become wild.”

If left unchecked, Josiah Ruzive said, the deadly vice would continue threatening not only Zimbabwe’s developmental prospects but that of the world at large, not least because youth are the productive segment of every nation’s economy.