UZ STUDENT CHRONICLES HIS STRUGGLE WITH DRUG ABUSE

Lonely Chiwanda

A UNIVERSITY of Zimbabwe student, Takunda Chitoma, has become an unlikely symbol of the growing concerns over drug and substance abuse among students at Zimbabwean universities.

The fourth-year student, 21, who wants to become an engineer, has seen his academic career spiral out of control due to a full-blown addiction to drugs.

“I started taking drugs to cope with stress and pressure to maintain my grades.

“But, it quickly got out of hand. I found myself trapped in a cycle of addiction and I couldn’t break free,” he said.

Takunda said his addiction began as a coping mechanism for stress and pressure to maintain his excellent academic record.

“What started as an occasional experimentation during stressful exam periods spiralled into a full-blown addiction.

“The pressure to maintain my excellent grades and cope with personal issues led me down a path I hadn’t anticipated.

“Slowly, my attendance dropped, assignments went unfinished and my mind suffered under the influence.”

However, it quickly escalated, affecting his attendance, assignments and overall performance.

Takunda’s father, Kenneth, said they are trying their best to help their son recover.

“We are oblivious to the pressures that our children go through at universities.

“We didn’t realise how serious the problem was until it was almost too late, but now we are glad he is getting the help he needs.”

A UZ graduate, Munyaradzi Mushonga, said:

“As students, we face peer pressure from new friends we meet at university and due to the fear of missing out, most people tend to go down that path.”

Lonely Brown Chiwanda, a psychology student, said:

“Universities must recognise that academic excellence does not always equate to emotional or a sound mental well-being.”

“We need to provide support systems for students like Takunda who are struggling with addiction.”

He said awareness programmes, accessible counselling services, mentorship programmes, and extracurricular activities can help support students struggling with addiction.

“Universities should implement comprehensive interventions, including education, support, prevention, and rehabilitation, to help students reclaim their future.”