Online Reporter
Sukulwenkosi Dube-Matutu, Matabeleland South Bureau
MATABELELAND South youths have pledged to take a leading role in combating drug and substance abuse, a crisis that has robbed many of their peers of their future and hindered the country’s development.
Drug and substance abuse remains one of Zimbabwe’s most urgent and escalating public health challenges, especially in Matabeleland South Province.
To address this, the Zimbabwe Multi-Sectoral National Action Plan on Drug and Substance Abuse (2024-2030) was developed.
This framework promotes a co-ordinated, holistic and inclusive approach encompassing prevention, treatment, rehabilitation, policy reform and community engagement.
Matabeleland South recorded five deaths related to drug and substance abuse from January to August this year. Commonly abused substances in the province include marijuana, crystal meth, Benylin and Broncleer cough syrups, Astrapyne and unregistered medicines.
Youths in the province have since pledged to take a lead role in the fight against the scourge.
Ms Lubelihle Maphosa, from the Colleen Bawn area in Gwanda, expressed optimism that Government interventions will give affected youths a second chance at life. She noted that many young people have lost hope after falling into drug and substance abuse.
“As a youth, I have witnessed the devastating effects of drug and substance abuse. Some of my peers with great potential have hit rock bottom. Some have changed so much that you can hardly recognise them anymore,” said Ms Maphosa.
She added that youths have a vital role to play in resource mobilisation to support these efforts.
“The Government’s initiatives, such as establishing rehabilitation centres, will help restore futures. We are the future of the country and its leaders tomorrow. Without productive youth, the future is bleak,” she emphasised.
Similarly, Ms Eremina Dube from Beitbridge vowed that youths will not be mere spectators as drug and substance abuse programmes are rolled out. She pledged to become an ambassador for the initiatives within her community.
“For this fight to be successful, youths must embrace the programmes. If we don’t engage and support these efforts, they cannot succeed. We must also abstain from drug and substance abuse, which destroys rather than build us,” said Ms Dube.
She encouraged the utilisation of rehabilitation centres and committed to raising awareness among her peers, highlighting that education is a key strategy in this battle.
Speaking at the launch of the provincial drug and substance abuse resource mobilisation programme, Minister of State for Matabeleland South Provincial Affairs and Devolution, Albert Nguluvhe, stressed that progress requires collaboration from all stakeholders, particularly youths.
The province aims to raise US$280 000 to fund initiatives such as rehabilitation centres, recreational facilities and awareness campaigns. Currently, Matabeleland South lacks a functional, stand-alone rehabilitation centre and relies on Ingutsheni Hospital in Bulawayo for referrals.
The old TB clinic in Jahunda, Gwanda, has been identified for conversion into a provincial referral centre for survivors of drug and substance abuse.
Provinces have been tasked with developing strategies, including fundraising, to tackle the growing scourge devastating communities nationwide. This follows a national call to action by President Mnangagwa, who launched the National Drug and Substance Response Resource Mobilisation programme on 11 July 2025, in Harare.
The Government has also established a National Committee on Drug and Substance Abuse guided by seven pillars: supply, demand, harm reduction, treatment, rehabilitation, legal frameworks, community reintegration and media strategies, ensuring a comprehensive fight against the scourge.
—@DubeMatutu
