Nust student fights drug abuse

Tafadzwa Chibukwa, Chronicle Reporter

ALARMED by mental challenges and criminal activities due to substance and drug abuse by university students, a National University of Science and Technology (Nust) student, has taken it upon himself to fight the scourge by holding campaigns to educate his peers about the dangers of drug abuse.

Mr Takudzwa Zvidza (21) from Pumula South suburb who is studying Applied Chemistry, founded an organisation called The Bigger Picture.

The organisation holds substance and drug abuse awareness campaigns.

The organisation, whose objective is to discourage youths from abusing drugs, was founded in June last year.

Mr Zvidza said he was inspired by the World Drug Day event he attended last year which emphasised that it is only the youths who can win the war against drug abuse.

The International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking, or World Drug Day, is marked on June 26 every year and is meant to raise awareness on dangers of drug abuse as the globe strives to achieve a world free of drug abuse.

Mr Zvidza said he wants to help the young generation to refocus and concentrate on important aspects of their lives instead of wasting their precious time on drugs and substances abuse.

“I noticed that as a generation we have adopted an unpleasant lifestyle and we have forgotten our roots and culture. Most of the time we are found chasing unnecessary things and wasting time yet there are more serious things we could be doing as a young vibrant generation. It is the time we should be dedicating ourselves to building a better future for ourselves just like the President (Cde Mnangagwa) has repeatedly said ‘nyika inovakwa nevene vayo‘,” said Mr Zvidza.

He said his campaigns are meant to encourage the youths to refrain from abusing drugs.

Mr Zvidza has since opened a group chat on WhatsApp for the ‘Bigger Picture” where individuals send motivational success stories to their peers.

He said with time, he realised that he had a bigger mission at hand and he expanded his sphere of influence.

“We started operating on WhatsApp and later expanded targeting the physical aspect of sending messages since on WhatsApp it would not be taken seriously. We started going out and working with universities, colleges, schools and churches since  that where most youths are found,” he said.

The organisation is run by a team of 15 members who are also activists against drug and substance abuse.

They are also affiliated to organisations like Active youth Zimbabwe and also Yo-PETALTH (Young people’s mental health trust) who are also fighting drug abuse. Mr Zvidza said their hope is to reduce crime related to drug abuse among the youths as well as reduce drug abuse related admissions at health institutions.

“Facilities that offer rehabilitation services are being overwhelmed by youths being sent to these institutions hence this campaign to reduce the numbers. We believe prevention is better than cure,” he said.

Mr Zvidzai said instead of spending large sums of money taking care of youths at rehabilitation centres, communities could save such money by educating the youths on the dangers of abusing drugs like what his organisation is doing. -@Sagepapie14