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Sione Amidu, Gwanda Correspondent
ENVIRONMENT, Climate and Wildlife, Minister Mangaliso Ndlovu has called for an all stakeholder approach in the fight against drug and substance abuse saying the scourge was not a town problem as it was now rampant in rural areas with an estimated 7.1 percent of young people hooked on illegal substances in the country.
Minister Ndlovu who is also responsible for drug and substance abuse elimination in Matabeleland South Province said discussing drug and substance abuse programs calls for an extraordinary response from all stakeholders involved where there was no room for bystanders.
“The country is witnessing an increase in drug use, misuse and abuse within communities with the youths being the most affected. According to the World Drug Report 2023 the burden of drug and substance abuse in Africa is disproportionally high amongst young people below the age of 35 with cannabis being the most abused drug,” he said.
He said drug and substance abuse was now one of the top-ranking disasters wreaking havoc in many societies across the world and Zimbabwe was not spared.
“Just like Covid-19, drug and substance abuse has affected our nation and in particular the mental health of our most productive age group. Recent studies done in Zimbabwe revealed an estimated 7,1 percent of young people abuse drugs, with the most prevalent drugs being cannabis, crystal meth, broncleer, skin lighteners, illicit beverages and body enlargement products. Children as young as 10 years old are now engaging in drug and substance abuse. It is against this background that in April last year, His Excellency President Mnangagwa established the Inter-ministerial Taskforce to address this menace,” said Minister Ndlovu.
He also highlighted that an Inter-Ministerial Taskforce was elevated to the National Committee and has been rendered the most effective intervention in the fight against the scourge with expectations that it leaves no place and no one behind.
“Due to the severity of the matter, the Inter-ministerial Taskforce was elevated to the National Committee chaired by the Minister of Defence and Zanu-PF National Chairman Cde Oppah Muchinguri with a clear mandate to curtail the supply of illicit drugs and substances, reduce demand and harm of the same in people, ensuring access to treatment and rehabilitation services and promote the successful reintegration of people who use drugs in the society.”
“The National Committee is determined to achieve the mandate given to it by the President and Cabinet and will leave no stone unturned in its vicious fight against drug and substance abuse. “In terms of implementation, the drug and substance abuse programs have evolved to the current six thematic pillars which are supply reduction, demand reduction, harm reduction, treatment and rehabilitation, community reintegration, psycho-social support, media, communication and resource mobilisation,” he said.
Addressing the provincial drug and substance elimination committee last week, Matabeleland South Minister of State for Provincial Affairs and Devolution Dr Evelyn Ndlovu said the province has equally been affected particularly among youths.
She extended her gratitude to the President for coming up with a taskforce to fight drug and substance abuse.
“The fight against drug and substance abuse calls for all our collective efforts, if we are to win against this pandemic there is a real need for all stakeholders, from Government, development partners, community cadres, parents, security forces, and the Chiefs to be proactive.
“It is my fervent hope that the Provincial Drug and Substance Elimination Committee will from today going forward be more active and vigorous, in strategising the underlying causes of drug and substance abuse, coming up with mitigatory plans and response strategies to identify cases,” she said.
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