Rising drug abuse among youth

The coordinated response to the drug menace should also strengthen the enforcement side, as agencies cooperate actively, as well as the more general strategies to dry up demand as well as dry up supply.

Arron Nyamayaro

In a troubling trend, a total of 5,738 individuals have been arrested in Harare for drug and substance abuse from January to September this year, according to a senior police official.

Chief Superintendent Sydney Chakabva, commanding officer of the Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) Criminal Investigations Department (CID) for Drugs and Narcotics, shared these alarming statistics during an Anti-Drug Awareness Campaign at Chemhanza Grounds in Glenview last Friday.

Of those arrested, 4,274 are under the age of 35, highlighting a particularly vulnerable demographic.

“Police will leave no stone unturned in arresting anyone found manufacturing, distributing, or in possession of illegal drugs and substances,” stated Detective Assistant Inspector Tendai Muchengi, who delivered Chakabva’s address.

The campaign emphasised the urgent need for community involvement in combating drug abuse.

“We have destroyed 52 drug bases in Harare province and arrested a total of 5,738 individuals, including 1,080 females,” Det-Asst-Insp Muchengi noted.