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STAKEHOLDERS attending the International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking commemorations in Bulawayo said there was need for the introduction of drug rehabilitation centres.
They concurred such an initiative will go a long way in fighting the cancer of drug abuse. The calls come amid a sharp rise in the abuse of various drugs such as Methamphetamine, a highly addictive stimulant commonly known in the country as “crystal meth” or “mutoriro”, which affects the nervous system.
In April, the Government launched a Zimbabwe National Drug Masterplan, which identifies alcohol and drug abuse as one of the top causes of mental health problems in all of the country’s 10 provinces.
National Aids Council (NAC) provincial manager, Sinatra Nyathi, said there was need for rehabilitation centres to cater for drug abusers.
“We do not have rehabilitation centres, so we have a situation where we are saying everybody with drug and substance abuse challenges is sent to Ingutsheni Hospital and Annex in Harare of which that is not proper because their conditions are totally different,” Nyathi said.
“As a result, we are advocating for partners and resources to make sure we have rehabilitation centres specifically meant for those with drug challenges so that they have the services at an affordable price.
“We are saying it’s not about building a new structure, we can also have a situation where someone can offer their homes for reasonable rentals and use that for rehabilitation services.
“So, now is the time to think about where and how we can start.
“We can also have virtual platforms where we can start discussion as far as rehabilitation is concerned,” she explained.
Mathew Masinge
Online Reporter