It is never too late to stop drugs

 

Tendai Gukutikwa
Post Reporter

FOR the then 16-year-old Leevas Jeranyama, the arduous 4km walk from Pimai Village to Muterere High School in Mutasa District was more than just a physical challenge.

It marked the beginning of a downward spiral into drug abuse.

Every morning and afternoon, Jeranyama and his two friends would trudge along the dusty path, burdened by their schoolbooks, hunger, and frustration.

 

One day, while sitting under a tree, they sought a solution to ease their daily commute.

 

Their decision, however, was far from academic.

“We decided to start smoking marijuana to numb our fatigue. We thought getting high before walking to school would make the distance feel shorter. We would also smoke before heading back home. Initially, it seemed to work, or so we thought,” said Jeranyama, now 22.

What began as an occasional puff to escape physical exhaustion quickly escalated into addiction.

The trio soon found themselves unable to function without their daily fix.

 

Marijuana use escalated into dependency, and they began using it every day, including weekends.

“I would experience withdrawal symptoms when I didn’t smoke. Unbeknown to me, my friends were also using it excessively, as we had all become addicted. We even started pooling our resources, contributing just a dollar each daily to ensure that we had enough money to purchase marijuana. Our dealer knew us very well, and would always be ready for us at Matondora Business Centre,” he said.

By the time Jeranyama reached Form Two, marijuana was no longer sufficient.

 

The group progressed to alcohol and cough syrup, particularly Bronclear, a popular, but hazardous substance among youths.

“We would be under the influence of drugs the entire day. Sometimes, we would attend school solely to confront teachers or insult them in front of other learners. We did not care – we felt invincible. I received multiple warnings at school, and was on my final warning when I dropped out of school,” he said.

Predictably, Jeranyama’s academic performance deteriorated significantly.

Following multiple warnings from the school, Jeranyama eventually dropped out while doing Form Three.

His parents, exhausted and disillusioned, had lost hope and ceased sending him to school altogether.

 

“They realised they were paying school fees to no avail. I was not attending classes. I was one of the most notorious drug addict in Honde Valley,” he said.

His mother, Ms Kotina Mandeya, vividly recalled those tumultuous days.

“He became violent and unpredictable, showing no respect for us or his teachers. We were informed that he and his friends rarely attended school, despite leaving home daily. I was baffled by my son’s transformation, thinking he was being haunted by evil spirits, as he was an exceptional learner. He would yell, break things, and disappear for days. No one could control him,” she said.

It was only later that Ms Mandeya discovered her son’s addiction.

“I realised he needed help, but I was unsure where to turn to,” she said.

Just when all hope seemed lost, an unexpected encounter changed Jeranyama’s life forever.

One afternoon, while under the influence, Jeranyama spotted a parked vehicle in the village.

 

He approached the car, hoping to beg for money to buy more drugs. Inside, he found members of the Youth for a Better Tomorrow organisation, who were conducting outreach programmes on drug and substance abuse.

“I did not care who they were – I just wanted money for weed. They handed me a flyer, and spoke to me about the dangers of drugs, but all I could think about was getting a dollar from them,” he said.

 

Instead of money, they gave him a packet of mints and a bag of tea leaves.

 

“They advised me to suck a mint whenever I felt the urge to smoke and to drink tea instead of Bronclear or beer. Initially, I ignored their advice,” he said.

However, their words lingered in his mind.

A few weeks later, the organisation invited him to share his story at a local outreach event.

 

As he stood before a gathering of schoolchildren, sharing information about the dangers of drugs, something shifted within Jeranyama.

“I was not sharing my personal story. I was simply reciting what I had read from the flyers. But when the children clapped hands for me, I felt seen and valued. I realised that I had the potential to become a better version of myself. That moment marked the beginning of my transformation,” Jeranyama said, his voice filled with emotions.

From then on, Jeranyama dedicated himself to recovery.

With the organisation’s support, he returned to school, and successfully passed his Ordinary Level exams with seven subjects.

He subsequently pursued his A-Level studies, achieving an impressive eight points.

Today, Jeranyama is saving money to pursue a degree in journalism, a profession that will provide him with the platform to inspire others.

“I want to share stories like mine, demonstrating to young people that no matter how dire their situation may seem, it is never too late to overcome addiction. You can rise again,” he said.

Jeranyama’s transformation, however, extends beyond his academic achievements.

He has emerged as a leader within the Mandeya community.

He now chairs several projects in his area, and actively contributes to Internal Savings and Lending (ISAL) clubs, using proceeds from his thriving poultry and fishery projects.

“I realised that overcoming addiction meant I could conquer anything. Now, I am giving back to my community, not just for personal fulfilment, but for the betterment of those around me,” said.

His transformation has also brought healing to his family. His mother, who once feared for her son’s life, now radiates pride.

“He is a changed person – respectful, focused, and a true gentleman,” said Ms Mandeya, her face beaming with joy.

Jeranyama also referred his friends, with whom he had started using drugs, to Youth for a Better Tomorrow.

 

All three have since turned their lives around.

“We now support each other, sharing dreams of building a future, not chasing the next high. Every time I share my story, I feel a sense of relief. If it helps just one person overcome or avoid addiction, it is worth I,” he said.

Founder of Youth for a Better Tomorrow, Mr Wonderful Gunhe said Jeranyama’s story serves as a powerful reminder that addiction, no matter how deep-seated, is not a life sentence.

 

“Addiction is a detour, not the end of the road. We want young people struggling with addiction to know that they are still loved, and Jeranyama’s journey proves that rehabilitation is possible, recovery is real, and transformation is within reach,” he said.

Recently, Defence Minister, Honourable Oppah Muchinguri-Kashiri, who is also the chairperson of the National Committee on Drugs and Substance Abuse, announced that Government has intensified its efforts to combat drug and substance abuse.

A new law is being drafted to impose harsher penalties on dealers and peddlers of harmful substances, in response to the growing concern of drug abuse among young people.

“Under the proposed legislation, offenders will face stiff jail sentences instead of fines, with sentence duration determined by the number of individuals they sold drugs to. This serves as a warning to shops selling illicit substances like tumbwa – once the Bill is passed, you will no longer have the option of paying a fine, but will instead face a jail term,” she said.

Minister Muchinguri-Kashiri said the proposed law stipulates a five-year imprisonment term for each person drug dealers sold drugs to.

Once the bill becomes law, it will enable immediate confiscation of harmful substances like tumbwa, ensuring those in possession face jail time without exception.