The low-down on drugs

trend is on the increase.
Statistical analysis of crime indicates that there is an increase in the trafficking and abuse of illicit drugs in Zimbabwe.
According to police, a total of 1 834 drug-related offences were recorded for the period January 31-June 30, 2012 compared to 1 601 cases reported during the same period of the previous year.
The offences relate to possession, use and trafficking of illicit drugs. Acting CID Press and public relations and liaison officer Detective Sergeant Sharon Musendo said most of these drugs were not locally manufactured but found their way into the country through the country’s porous ports of entry.
“People take drugs for the following reasons: peer pressure, low self-esteem, to relieve boredom or depression, to experiment or out of ignorance among others,” she said.
They think drugs are a solution but eventually, the drugs become the problem and the consequences of drug use are always worse than the problem one was trying to solve ,” she said.
Drug dealers motivated by the profits they make will say anything to lure prospective clients to buy their drugs.
The Ministry of Health and Child Welfare has expressed concern over the use of drugs in Zimbabwe.
The ministry says the use of drugs has an effect on the mental well-being of the populace.
“While it has been believed that Zimbabwe was a transit route for illicit drugs or substances, this is no longer the case as these drugs are now sold and consumed in the country,” says the ministry’s website on mental health.
It notes that various surveys have shown that the problem of both alcohol and drug abuse are increasing (WHO, Mental Health Atlas-2005).
Common drugs
The commonly abused drugs and narcotics in Zimbabwe include marijuana (mbanje), inhalants, bron-cleer (commonly known as “bronco”), ecstasy, prescription drugs and alcohol.
There is a heavy price to pay for the use of these drugs.
According to the United Nations 2008 World Drug Report, marijuana is the highest abused drug in the world, about 3,9 percent of the world’s population between the ages of 15 and 64 abuse it.
When taken, marijuana alters an individual’s perception and all senses.
Some teenagers indulge in this drug after seeing older people in the family or community using it.
Others including elders use it merely for the fact that there are songs about it and see it being used on television or movies, on the streets and even their peers.
The drug has its side effects.
These include loss of concentration, impaired judgment, loss of motivation, hallucinations and violent behaviour.
The risk of heart attack due to the abuse of mbanje is increased five-fold. It also causes anxiety, panic attack and paranoia.
Mbanje damages the respiratory, reproductive and immune system and causes cancer and damages the lungs. Other effects include brain damage, distorted perception (sounds, sights, time and touch), increased appetite and problems with memory and learning.
Mbanje increases the risk of getting lung infections like pneumonia and weakens the immune system.
Mbanje abusers can be detected by noting the following: Bloodshot eyes, sleepy puffy eyes, natural thirst or hunger, uncontrollable moods, being talkative or giggles, bad decision-making, yellow or brown stains on fingertips and the presence of marijuana seeds where the user stays or in pockets.
A mbanje user can also be found in possession of “Rizzla” or brown paper and the room in which mbanje is smoked carries its strong incense.
Typically, mbanje smokers have an obsession with reggae music and artistes and lead untidy lifestyles.
Contrary to the commonly accepted misconception that marijuana increases intelligence, it distorts and alters the proper functioning of the brain.
Bron-cleer, commonly referred to as “bronco”, is a brown viscous syrup with a sweet chloroform and raspberry odour. It contains a substance called codeine which causes drowsiness, confusion sweating and a dry mouth.
It is cough syrup made in South Africa but is not registered in Zimbabwe under the Medicines and Allied Substances Control Act Chapter 15:03.
This drug has hit the streets at an alarming rate and is most prevalent around the high-density areas.
Mostly affected are the youths due the drug’s affordability and availability on the streets.
Responsible authorities need to act swiftly against this maniac before the nation is faced with a generation of youths behaving like “zombies”.
That is one of the side effects of bronco.
Others include drowsiness, confusion, sweating, dryness of the mouth and loss of memory.
Users of bronco experience a sense of excitement before sedation takes place.
Users of bron-cleer have an endless thirst due to their dryness of the mouth and the regular intake of water and drinks helps to maintain one on “high”.
However, overdose of bronco may result in a coma or possible death.
Chemicals such as household products aerosols, cleaning fluids, glue, paint thinners, paint, paraffin, nail polish remover, marker pens and the like are abused by some people to get intoxicated.
These substances, referred to as inhalants, are sniffed or “huffed” (act of inhaling vapours).
Inhalants are mostly used by schoolchildren and street kids as they are easily accessible in the home and disposed containers always contain some leftovers.
Inhalants affects the brain, they can cause physical or mental damage. When substances are inhaled through the mouth or nose, the inhaled fumes take the place of oxygen in the lungs and central nervous system.
The side effects of inhalants include loss of sense of smell, nausea, nosebleeds, liver, lung or kidney problems and sudden violent behaviour.
A user may suffer hallucinations, visual problems or blindness and inability to walk, talk and think normally.
Inhalants may lead to muscle wasting and reduced muscle tone and strength and cause death by heart attack or suffocation.
Prescription drugs are not immune to abuse.
Abuse of prescription drugs has become a more serious problem than most street drugs.
Painkillers, tranquillisers, anti-depressants, sleeping pills and stimulants may appear safe due to being prescribed by doctors, but can just be addictive and potent as the heroin and cocaine sold on the street.
Continued use of painkillers, depressants, stimulants or anti-depressants can lead to addiction.
Of course, alcohol is the most abused substance.
Unfortunately, many people seem to condone its abuse and despite the fact that Zimbabwean laws prohibit persons below the age of 18 years to consume alcohol, there is a general laxity by law enforcement agencies and beer outlets to enforce and maintain the age restriction.
Alcohol depresses the central nervous system, lowers inhibitions and impairs judgement.
Some effects include lack of co-ordination (resulting in staggering), slurred speech, memory and comprehension loss, headache, nausea, anxiety, shakiness and sometimes vomiting.
Negative impact
The United Nations is worried at the continued abuse and trafficking of illicit drugs.
In his address on the International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking on June 26, UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-Moon said drug abuse and illicit trafficking continue to have a “profoundly negative impact on development and stability across the world”.
The theme for this year was “Global Action for Healthy Communities without Drugs”.
“The billions of dollars generated from illicit drugs fuel terrorist activities and abet other crimes such as human trafficking and the smuggling of arms and people,” said Ban.
“Illicit drugs and related criminal networks undermine the rule of law. And the impunity with which they go about their business causes tremendous fear and sows disillusion with governance at all levels.”
He noted that Central America, for example, faced rising levels of violence fuelled by transnational organised crime and drug trafficking.
The region is now home to the highest homicide rates in the world. The SG noted that development in Afghanistan is being hindered by the highest rates of opiate prevalence in the world while in parts of Myanmar, farmers are trapped by food insecurity compelling them to grow poppies as a cash crop.
The UN chief said the challenge is also greatly testing West and Central Africa, which lies along one of the main drug trafficking routes to Europe.
With often weak legal and financial institutions, countries in the region are highly vulnerable.
There has been a new trend and role reversal.
The UN has observed that transit countries are no longer simply links in the chain of supply; they have become points of arrival.
Said Ban: “About half of the cocaine trafficked through West and Central Africa now remains in the region. Such changing patterns of drug consumption jeopardise hard won gains in sustainable development and good governance.”
He said the drug, crime and corruption conventions of the United Nations needed to be enforced to form a solid basis for global solutions to these challenges.
He urged partnerships with the young, civil society, governments and the international community in the fight against drugs and crime.
“Working together, we can alleviate the suffering of millions and break the hold of drugs and crime on countries, communities and families,” said the UN chief.