Chronicle EditorRaymond Jaravaza, [email protected]
A recent study has shown that drug and illegal substance abusers in Zimbabwe spend an average of US$5 per day to feed their addictions. The study also found that urban dwellers constitute the highest number of drug users in the country compared to those in the rural areas.
To understand the root causes of drug consumption and substance abuse among Zimbabwean adolescents and youths, United Nations Children’s Fund (Unicef), in collaboration with the Government of Zimbabwe, Muthengo Development Studies (MDS), Zimbabwe Civil Liberties and Drug Network (ZCLDN), and Youth Advocates Zimbabwe (YAZ) undertook a qualitative behavioural analysis in 2022. The study aimed to identify the factors that contribute to drug use among young people in Zimbabwe and to develop strategies to address the problem.
The findings of the study which was conducted in Bulawayo, Harare, Mashonaland Central and Manicaland are significant as they provide insight into the extent of drug use in Zimbabwe and the factors that contribute to it. By understanding these factors, policymakers can develop targeted interventions to address drug use among young people in the country. It is hoped that these interventions will help to reduce the prevalence of drug use in Zimbabwe and improve the health and well-being of its citizens.
“Alcohol, drugs, and other substance abuse is higher in urban areas than rural with the main reason being the stronger community childcare system and closer parental care that prevails in rural communities compared to urban areas.
“Drugs and substance abusers spend on average US$5 per day to satisfy their needs. Consumption of alcohol, drugs and other substances starts as early as adolescence. Findings from study indicate that the youngest users of drugs and illegal substances are 10 years old, and the 10-18 years age range is the most vulnerable age group.
“The Zimbabwe Civil Liberties and Drug Network reports that alcohol, drugs, and other substances abuse in order of consumption is cannabis (67%); cough syrup (47%); crystal meth (36%); illegal alcohol (31%); pharmaceuticals (13%); crack (3%); cocaine powder (3%); and heroin (2%),” reads part of the report from the study.
“According to the Muthengo Development Solutions study, alcohol, drugs, and other substance abuse is not confined to lower socio-economic quintiles. Young people and adolescent alcohol drug and substance abusers from wealthy families consume the more expensive substances like cocaine, crack, heroin, and legal alcohol. Alcohol, drugs and other substance abuse is 41% in girls compared 59% in boys.”
The study also identified the root drivers of alcohol, drugs, and other substance abuse as the death of parent(s), poverty and idleness, absent parents, broken homes, inadequate parenting practices, deviant behaviour and experimentation.
300 alcohol, drugs, and other substances users were interviewed for the study.
“The effects of alcohol, drugs and other substances abuse is severe and disturbing patterns can be directly attributable to alcohol, drug and substance abuse: 70% of gang violence is among school children; 15% of intimate partner violence and gender based violence (GBV) cases involve adolescents and young people while 40% of suicide attempts are linked to alcohol, drug and substance abuse.”
Unicef commended the Government of Zimbabwe for establishing an inter-ministerial committee to address the alcohol, drugs and substance abuse problem and the development of a multi-sectorial framework for a harmonised approach and communication among relevant actors to tackle the scourge.
“An increase in public education and awareness campaigns about substance abuse, especially directed at adolescents and young people is vital through outreach programmes that foster social behavioural change interventions.
“It’s also important to establish partnerships between schools, communities, and local authorities to promote healthy behaviors among adolescents and the young people,” concluded the report.
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