Online Reporter
Tanaka Nkala
DOCTORS on the Move, in partnership with Be Forward, last Saturday hosted their annual anti-drug awareness campaign, attracting hundreds of participants and capturing the attention of Bulawayo residents.
The march began at the corner of Lobengula Street, outside Dominican Convent School, where attendees carried banners, placards, and messages of hope, before concluding at Bulawayo Large City Hall.
Miss Intercontinental Africa 2024, Amanda Peresu Moyo, joined the event alongside her organisation, the Amanda Green Foundation.
Moyo delivered a compelling message urging young people to prioritise their future and resist the lure of drugs.
“As we stand against drugs and substance abuse, it is said that we lose our power the moment we stay silent about things that matter,” she said.
“Every life lost to drugs is not just a statistic, it is a story cut short, a dream never realised, and a voice silenced.”
She encouraged the youth and community to unite and fight against the pandemic that is destroying the lives of young people.
The march aimed to raise awareness about drug abuse and support those undergoing therapy and rehabilitation, encouraging them to stay strong and hopeful.
In an interview with the Chronicle, the director for the Doctors on the Move initiative, Professor Nathaniel Kudakwamwari, expressed his gratitude to all the participants.
“We have a home-grown solution as an organisation to curb this menace uniquely, as we are here to bridge a gap for the community and rehabilitation centers,” said Prof Kudakwamwari.
He urged the community to report any case patterns related to the use of drugs and substance use to any local health facilities and police.
“We have a task force, which will be collecting information from the community and families who are affected by an individual under drug addiction,” he added.
The antidrug campaign, which has become a significant fixture on the nation’s calendar, aimed to strengthen the fight against drug and substance abuse among young people.
Brandon Suku, a youth who was participating in the campaign, sent a message to his fellow youths to resist drug addiction and join the world in fighting the pandemic.
“As I stand in solidarity with Doctors on the Move, my message to my fellow youth is to stay away from drugs, engage with the community because drugs do not cure stress,” he said.
Doctor Barbara Silumbu, a clinical psychologist under the Church of Latter Day Saints, noted that drug abuse can harm a young person’s brain development and academic performance, leading to poor grades, memory loss, and decreased motivation.
“With drugs one can easily lose their minds, and we want them to understand what happens to them when they take drugs so they will be able to make an informed decision,” said Dr Silumbu.
