Online Reporter
Paul Pindani in CHINHOYI
DRUG and Substance Abuse scourge has become a menace to society and the Zimbabwe Human Rights Commission (ZHRC) is playing a critical role in working will all stakeholders to curb the scourge in Zimbabwe.
This was said by Malvern Museva,ZHRC Provincial Coordinator for Mashonaland West, during the Platinum FM, H- Metro and Zimpapers Drug and Substance Abuse Awareness Campaign that was held at Gadzema Shopping Centre on Friday.
The event, organised in collaboration with various stakeholders, including Zimbabwe Gender Commission, Ministry of Youth, and Zimbabwe Prisons and Correctional Service, sought to address the growing crisis of drug and Substance Abuse affecting communities in the province.
Minister of State for Provincial Affairs and Devolution, Honorable Marian Chombo, was the guest of honor.
Museva said as an independent national human rights institution established under the Constitution of Zimbabwe, the ZHRC is mandated to promote, protect, and enforce fundamental human rights and freedom.
He said among its key responsibilities is raising awareness on social issues such as drug and substance abuse, which have significant implications for human rights, particularly the right to health, education, and a safe environment.
Museva said the Commission also works to ensure that marginalised and vulnerable groups, such as the youth, are protected from harmful practices and societal challenges.
He urged the youth to avoid peer pressure and make informed decisions their lives.
The Commission highlighted the importance of education, self- discipline, and engaging in constructive activities that contribute to personal and societal development.
“To the general public, ZHRC emphasises the collective responsibility of families, communities, and institutions to create a supportive environment that discourages drug abuse,” said Museva.
He added.
“ZHRC calls on parents and guardians to foster open communication with their children and to seek professional help when signs of substance abuse are detected,”
He added.
“By promoting awareness, advocating for effective policies, and protecting the rights of all citizens, the Commission aims to contribute to a healthier and drug- free society,” said Museva.
He said ZHRC encourages everyone to play their part in combating drug substance abuse and to report any human rights violations to their provincial offices situated at Chinese Complex in Chinhoyi.
Provincial Police Spokesman, Inspector Ian Kohwera, applauded the role being played by Platinum FM, H- Metro, and Zimpapers for organising the Drug and Substance Abuse campaign.
“ Indeed, they have fulfilled their role of entertaining, informing and educating. This stakeholder engagement is the only way to spread information to every person in the Province so that we join hands in the fight against the scourge,” said Kohwera.
He said ZRP falls under the Supply Chain Pillar and as such was going to leave no stone unturned to ensure that all drug lords, drug peddlers and the abusers are brought to book.
“We want to warn that anyone found harboring and assisting some elements supporting this vice for personal gains but inflicting health challenges to the people in this Province will not be spared.
“The long arm of the law will soon catch up with them. We urge the general public to continue supplying information to the police so that we sift out such people from the society,” said Kohwera.
Zimbabwe Gender Commission (ZGC) Regional Coordinator, Route Ndola Nyamuzihwa, told H- Metro, that their partnership for this event is a valuable commitment for the Commission in fighting Drug and Substance Abuse.
“Because we realize that there is a link between the drug and abuse and Gender Domestic Violence (GBV).
“This has been noted by the affects or impact of drug and substance abuse, and they create gender inequalities were maybe women can experience different effects of drug and substance abuse from men,” said Nyamuzihwa.
She added:
“ And also realise that drug and substance abuse have increased incidences of GBV and these include physical violence, sexual violence, even emotional violence.
“We also see that incidences of child marriages are on the rise, children are dropping out of school due to this drug and substance abuse and maybe they are forced to get into these child marriages,” said Nyamuzihwa.
Paul Pindani in CHINHOYI
DRUG and Substance Abuse scourge has become a menace to society and the Zimbabwe Human Rights Commission (ZHRC) is playing a critical role in working will all stakeholders to curb the scourge in Zimbabwe.
This was said by Malvern Museva,ZHRC Provincial Coordinator for Mashonaland West, during the Platinum FM, H- Metro and Zimpapers Drug and Substance Abuse Awareness Campaign that was held at Gadzema Shopping Centre on Friday.
The event, organised in collaboration with various stakeholders, including Zimbabwe Gender Commission, Ministry of Youth, and Zimbabwe Prisons and Correctional Service, sought to address the growing crisis of drug and Substance Abuse affecting communities in the province.
Minister of State for Provincial Affairs and Devolution, Honorable Marian Chombo, was the guest of honor.
Museva said as an independent national human rights institution established under the Constitution of Zimbabwe, the ZHRC is mandated to promote, protect, and enforce fundamental human rights and freedom.
He said among its key responsibilities is raising awareness on social issues such as drug and substance abuse, which have significant implications for human rights, particularly the right to health, education, and a safe environment.
Museva said the Commission also works to ensure that marginalised and vulnerable groups, such as the youth, are protected from harmful practices and societal challenges.
He urged the youth to avoid peer pressure and make informed decisions their lives.
The Commission highlighted the importance of education, self- discipline, and engaging in constructive activities that contribute to personal and societal development.
“To the general public, ZHRC emphasises the collective responsibility of families, communities, and institutions to create a supportive environment that discourages drug abuse,” said Museva.
He added.
“ZHRC calls on parents and guardians to foster open communication with their children and to seek professional help when signs of substance abuse are detected,”
He added.
“By promoting awareness, advocating for effective policies, and protecting the rights of all citizens, the Commission aims to contribute to a healthier and drug- free society,” said Museva.
He said ZHRC encourages everyone to play their part in combating drug substance abuse and to report any human rights violations to their provincial offices situated at Chinese Complex in Chinhoyi.
Provincial Police Spokesman, Inspector Ian Kohwera, applauded the role being played by Platinum FM, H- Metro, and Zimpapers for organising the Drug and Substance Abuse campaign.
“ Indeed, they have fulfilled their role of entertaining, informing and educating. This stakeholder engagement is the only way to spread information to every person in the Province so that we join hands in the fight against the scourge,” said Kohwera.
He said ZRP falls under the Supply Chain Pillar and as such was going to leave no stone unturned to ensure that all drug lords, drug peddlers and the abusers are brought to book.
“We want to warn that anyone found harboring and assisting some elements supporting this vice for personal gains but inflicting health challenges to the people in this Province will not be spared.
“The long arm of the law will soon catch up with them. We urge the general public to continue supplying information to the police so that we sift out such people from the society,” said Kohwera.
Zimbabwe Gender Commission (ZGC) Regional Coordinator, Route Ndola Nyamuzihwa, told H- Metro, that their partnership for this event is a valuable commitment for the Commission in fighting Drug and Substance Abuse.
“Because we realize that there is a link between the drug and abuse and Gender Domestic Violence (GBV).
“This has been noted by the affects or impact of drug and substance abuse, and they create gender inequalities were maybe women can experience different effects of drug and substance abuse from men,” said Nyamuzihwa.
She added:
“ And also realise that drug and substance abuse have increased incidences of GBV and these include physical violence, sexual violence, even emotional violence.
“We also see that incidences of child marriages are on the rise, children are dropping out of school due to this drug and substance abuse and maybe they are forced to get into these child marriages,” said Nyamuzihwa.
