Online Reporter
Diana Nherera
HARARE Mayor Councillor Jacob Mafume has described drug and substance abuse as a national crisis that is destroying the country’s social fabric by trapping young people before they can realise their full potential.
Speaking during a tour of Wilkins Infectious Diseases Hospital today, Clr Mafume said the fight against drug and substance abuse required coordinated national action and sustained interventions to protect the country’s youth.
The tour was led by Home Affairs and Cultural Heritage Minister Kazembe Kazembe, who represented the chairperson of the National Committee on Drug and Substance Abuse, Cde Oppah Muchinguri-Kashiri.
Also in attendance were Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services Minister Dr Zhemu Soda, Harare Metropolitan Province Permanent Secretary for Provincial Affairs and Devolution Dr Shingirayi Mushamba, Health and Child Care Deputy Minister Dr Sleiman Kwidini, City of Harare officials and chairperson of the council’s Health, Disaster, Risk Management and Public Safety Committee, Councillor Jane Bhingari.
“We are very thankful for the assistance that we have received from our Central and Provincial Government and the staff that are working in these various institutions and the various committees established to tackle the drug scourge,” he said.
Cllr Mafume said the city is going to redouble its efforts.
“We are looking for more funding in terms of what we want to do. We are trying to see whether we could try to call for the introduction of a levy to divert some of the funding for local authorities to tackle this issue in a more meaningful manner,” he said.
“We have also taken note and appreciate what Angel of Hope is doing under the guidance of Her Excellency the First Lady.
“It’s taking in more numbers than all of us, and it has a waiting list in the thousands. It is making a huge contribution to the province’s efforts. So we are exceedingly thankful to that programme and appreciate that work.”
Cllr Mafume said more effort should be put into arresting those selling drugs and having by-laws that prevent drugs from being sold on the streets.
“Today we were looking at how far we have gone with the programme of rehabilitating drug and substance abuse victim,” he said.
“It’s an ongoing programme and we are grateful that we are working together with the Government.”
