Online Reporter
Sikhumbuzo Moyo, [email protected]
TOUGHER and mandatory sentences for drug peddlers have been proposed as part of efforts to deter the illicit trade and curb the growing drug and substance abuse (DSA) menace in the country.
Presenting a paper on communication and media pillar activities in the fight against DSA at the Bulawayo Provincial Drug and Substance Abuse Taskforce workshop that ended on Wednesday, Ministry of Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services provincial officer, Mr Gration
Mahachi, said stiffer penalties would send a strong message to those involved in the distribution of illicit drugs.
He said tougher sentences would also serve as a deterrent to people contemplating venturing into drug peddling.
“We’re calling for mandatory and stiffer sentences for drug peddlers just like we have for stock theft and rape cases,” said Mr Mahachi.
He emphasised the crucial role of the media in disseminating anti-drug messages from Government and other stakeholders.
Communication efforts should focus on reducing demand for drugs and substances by increasing knowledge of their harmful effects, changing attitudes and promoting protective behaviours.
The communication strategy also seeks to improve referrals to support services, with a particular focus on encouraging young people to reject drugs, helping families to respond to substance abuse at an early stage and mobilising communities to support recovery,” Mr Mahachi added.
He said the media should help sustain the national conversation around the Drug and Substance Abuse Plan while increasing awareness among young people, parents and communities about the harms and consequences of drug abuse.
There is also a need to strengthen protective behaviours through schools, sports, faith-based organisations and healthy peer networks.
“Communication should improve early reporting and referrals to counselling, treatment and rehabilitation services, while mobilising communities to discourage drug dealing and the normalisation of drug use,” he said.
Mr Mahachi said a coordinated communication approach involving the media, Government departments, communities and other stakeholders was critical to ensuring that anti-drug messages reached their intended audiences and are translated into action.
The calls for mandatory and stiffer sentences come amid concerns by the National Aids Council that DSA is threatening the country’s hard-won gains in the national HIV and AIDS response.
Speaking at the same workshop, NAC representative Mr Kelvin Tshuma said DSA and HIV were mutually reinforcing epidemics, with substance abuse increasing the risk of HIV transmission while also making it difficult for people living with HIV to adhere to treatment.
Mr Tshuma said alcohol and drug use could impair judgement, memory and decision-making, increasing the likelihood of risky sexual behaviour, including unprotected sex, having multiple sexual partners and engaging in transactional sex.
“DSA increases the risk of HIV infection because alcohol and drugs can impair judgement, memory and decision-making, making a person more likely to engage in unprotected sex, have multiple partners or engage in transactional sex,” he said.
There are concerns that substance abuse could also result in people failing to use HIV prevention methods such as condoms and pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP).
Mr Tshuma said people who inject drugs faced an additional risk of HIV infection when they shared needles, syringes or other injecting equipment contaminated with infected blood.
He said the combined effects of HIV and substance abuse could worsen health outcomes, interrupt treatment and deepen existing social inequalities.
“DSA can increase HIV transmission, worsen health outcomes for people living with HIV and make consistent treatment more difficult,” said Mr Tshuma.
He said people living with HIV could also become vulnerable to substance abuse due to factors such as stress, stigma, pain, mental health challenges and social exclusion.
Mr Tshuma said Zimbabwe’s response to the twin challenges should integrate HIV services with drug and substance abuse prevention and treatment programmes.
He said effective interventions should include confidential HIV testing, access to condoms and PrEP where appropriate, screening for alcohol and drug problems, counselling, mental health services and evidence-based treatment for substance abuse.
It is hoped that integrating DSA treatment with HIV care could improve patients’ engagement with treatment and help reduce the risk of HIV transmission.
The workshop brought together stakeholders to discuss strategies to tackle the drug and substance abuse scourge in Bulawayo and beyond.
