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Mutsawashe Mashandure
Herald Correspondent
Communities are now becoming more involved in the fight against drug and substance abuse, working with their friends and neighbours to add flesh to the national campaigns co-ordinated by Government and involving major organisations.
Recently, Braeside parish of the Catholic Church held a march in Harare to announce its dedication to eliminating drug and substance abuse.
Many people, from all walks of life and of various age groups, joined the march and the effort has received backing from ZB Bank, the police and others.
In an interview, Braeside Catholic Church parish council chairperson Mrs Caroline Maumbi said the church cannot stand aside and watch, especially as youths are being robbed of their future.
“As the Roman Catholic Church, we are carrying out an anti-drug and substance abuse awareness campaign,” she said.
“What caused us to do this programme is because we are witnessing the deadly effects of drug and substance abuse. Our children who are involved in this are now engaged in criminal activities, and the church is not spared. It is also affected, so we cannot fold our hands and watch while our children are becoming wild.”
Mrs Maumbe urged young people to stop substance abuse as this does not pay, but “destroys your future”.
ZB Bank agency banking manager Ms Emillia Mabika said their first priority was focusing on the wellbeing of people.
“As an organisation, our commitment is to educate people, especially young ones who are taking drugs,” she said.
“So we are not just focusing on getting money as businesses, but using that money to help raise our young children through the drug and awareness campaign.”
A police representative, Constable Tinashe Ngirandi, said the problem of drug and substance abuse needed a holistic approach.
“We are gathered here so that we can put our heads together and find lasting solutions to the issue of drug and substance abuse affecting youths and the elderly. Let us fight this problem together and completely remove it from our society.
“We are going to look for bases (drug dens) and do an investigation to find those selling and taking drugs (so they can) be arrested,” she said.
A convict, France Gono, said he abused drugs and one day, he raped a girl because of hallucinations.
“I felt as if the girl was older than me and because she was underage, I am now in prison. My advice is to young people; stop taking drugs because you end up having problems.
“Look at me, I have wasted my time and health-wise, obviously, my lungs are damaged already,” he said.
Mrs Lisa Nyambiti, who used to sell drugs, said she now realises that she was harming “other people’s health”.
“I was arrested for selling drugs. My advice is to those who sell and take drugs to leave this as it harms health systems,” she said.
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