Online Reporter
Patience Ndlovu
TSHOLOTSHO District has been identified as the epicentre of drug and substance abuse in Matabeleland North, topping provincial statistics for the first half of 2025, amid a surge in alcohol dependence and drug-related illnesses that authorities say is straining health services and threatening the productivity of communities.
According to the Ministry of Health and Child Care, 618 alcohol dependence cases were recorded in the province between January and June this year, which is more than double the 272 cases reported between January and December 2024.
Tsholotsho alone accounted for 262 drug-related cases, followed by Hwange (151), Nkayi (147), Lupane (43), Umguza (12) and Bubi (12) while Binga recorded none.
Speaking during a fundraising programme on drug and substance abuse at Harvest Village Children’s Home in Umguza District recently, Matabeleland North provincial mental health officer Ms Mejury Maphosa described the trend as alarming and warned that the worst affected demographic is people aged 21 to 45 years — the country’s most economically active group.
“We have noticed that people ranging from 21 to 45 depend a lot on drugs and substances because they have a lot going on in their heads since they have been identified as a productive group,” said Ms Maphosa.
“Drug and substance abuse have developed a close relationship with mental health in the sense that many work-related issues result in stress, leading them to dependence on illicit substances.”
Statistics show that men are disproportionately affected. In 2024, the province recorded 146 male cases compared to 28 female cases. By mid-2025, the number of affected women had risen slightly to 26, while male cases remained significantly higher.
Ms Maphosa said drug-induced psychosis has also emerged as a pressing concern. She attributed the crisis partly to limited rehabilitation infrastructure, with Chinotimba in Victoria Falls being the only functional rehab centre in the province. This leaves the majority of districts without adequate treatment facilities despite the escalating demand.
“We have managed to do integration of activities that include drug awareness campaigns, supportive supervision mentorship and on-the-job training about drug and other certain abuse,” said Ms Maphosa.
“Most of our health care workers have received training in drug assessment, screening and management, but only in pilot districts such as Lupane and Hwange.
“We urgently need rehabilitation centres in every district and expanded mental health services to effectively respond to the national crisis.”
Drug and substance abuse has become a growing public health and social concern across Zimbabwe, with health authorities warning of its link to violent crime, mental health challenges and declining productivity.
The problem is fuelled by easy access to illicit substances, including crystal meth (commonly known as mutoriro), marijuana and cough syrups with codeine and alcohol abuse.
The Government has launched a multi-sectoral approach involving health institutions, law enforcement, churches and civil society to curb the scourge. To lead the national fight, the Government has established the National Committee on Drug and Substance Abuse, which operates through seven key pillars plan under the 2024–2030 National Drug and Substance Abuse Strategy, covering supply reduction, demand reduction, harm reduction, treatment, rehabilitation, legal frameworks and community reintegration.
