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Valencia Ndhlovu, Sunday News Reporter
RESIDENTS of Nketa suburb, Ward 25 in Bulawayo have come together to find ways of raising awareness about the dangers of drug and substance abuse in the area.
In a meeting held at the local library in Nketa 9 yesterday, residents took a closer look at the effects of drugs and explored why the area has been a hotspot. Speaking at the event as the guest speaker, Solace Mental Health Clinic operations director, who is also Grace Family Church Bishop Dr Isaac Silumbu said the aim of the meeting was to raise awareness on drugs as the community has had problems with children and parents who are selling and buying drugs in the area.
“As fathers, mothers, and pastors we have a concern that drug abuse has gone out of hand even after we had an awareness campaign at the nearest schools, Maranatha High School and Agape High School. We discovered that children were having drugs on school grounds and some were expelled from both schools. The councillor invited us to come and speak to the parents since the schools are in this ward. Now we have discovered that the parents are willing to tell us the people who are selling drugs in the community and who the buyers are.”
Councillor Mzamo Dube said Dr Silumbu who once attended a drug awareness programme at Agape High School called for the meeting to have a conversation with parents in the community.
“Leaders came up with the initiative to have people come and speak to parents following their discussion with children at Agape High School.
Truthfully speaking children do not get drugs from their peers but get them from the elderly so there is a need for parents to be aware of what their peers are doing in the community.”
Clr Dube said their wish was that parents also work hand in hand with the law enforcement agents to curb the issue. He said the future of children was in the hands of parents hence the need for those selling drugs to be exposed.
Bulawayo Progressive Resident’s Association secretary, Mrs Samkelisiwe Ncube said the meeting was important for community members as they no longer had peace as Nketa residents.
Grace Family Church pastor and clinical psychologist, Mrs Barbara Silumbu outlined some of the issues surrounding children abusing drugs and substances as well as the dangers associated with using them.
“Parents need to educate their children on the dangers of consuming these substances so that is why it is important to educate them. Most importantly parents should set a good example for their children as some of them copy such behaviour from their parents,” she said.
Online Reporter