Online Reporter
Ivan Zhakata
Herald Correspondent
The Zimbabwe National Organisation of Associations and Residents Trust (ZNOART) has called for urgent and coordinated action to curb escalating cases of drug and substance abuse, warning the scourge is undermining social stability and economic productivity.
In a statement, the trust’s national chairman, Mr Shalvar Chikomba, said drug abuse had become a widespread national challenge affecting all sectors of society.
Mr Chikomba said the impact of drug and substance abuse was devastating, destroying lives, weakening families and fuelling crime.
“Drug and substance abuse has become a pervasive national challenge cutting across all sectors of society regardless of socio-economic background,” he said.
“Its impact is devastating — destroying lives, weakening families, increasing crime, and undermining the productivity, dignity and wellbeing of our workforce.”
Mr Chikomba said the crisis posed a direct threat to sustainable community development and national progress, hence the need for a multi-sectoral response.
He urged the Government to strengthen policy frameworks and enforcement mechanisms regulating drug distribution, while expanding access to rehabilitation services and investing in nationwide prevention and awareness programmes.
Law enforcement agencies, he said, should intensify efforts to dismantle drug trafficking and distribution networks, while adopting a balanced approach that prioritises both justice and rehabilitation.
Mr Chikomba also called on religious and community leaders to provide moral guidance and support systems that promote recovery and reintegration of affected individuals.
He said civil society organisations involved in rehabilitation, counselling and community outreach should be capacitated to scale up their interventions and reach vulnerable communities.
Mr Chikomba urged youths and residents to take personal responsibility by rejecting drug use and supporting those affected.
While acknowledging efforts by various stakeholders, including community organisations and national programmes, ZNOART said more decisive and sustained action was required to effectively deal with the crisis.
“The time to act is now. Through unity, commitment and collective responsibility, we can build safer, healthier and more productive communities,” he said.
