Zimbabwe’s growing battle against youth alcoholism

GRIEF swept through Gwabalanda suburb in Bulawayo after a 21-year-old man, recently repatriated from South Africa, took his own life.

The deceased was laid to rest a few days later at Luveve Cemetery. This writer attended the burial and spoke to one of the deceased’s relatives to understand what may have driven the young man to such a tragic end.

She said: “His untimely death is absolutely heartbreaking and one of the worst things I have seen in my life. Before he hanged himself, he told some of us that since coming back home from South Africa, life was getting very difficult for him and the only way out was to commit suicide. Of course, some of us thought he was joking. However, a few days later, it was with a heavy heart and deep sadness that we found out that he had hanged himself. The deceased was an alcoholic. Since coming back home from South Africa a few months ago, he spent most of his time at Masilela Beer Garden in Luveve, drinking highly intoxicating alcoholic beverages and taking drugs with his friends. Often times, he would come back home in the middle of the night, hopelessly drunk.”

It is a sad but undeniable reality that many young Zimbabweans today find themselves drifting in the midst of a culture where alcohol abuse is increasingly normalised.

The popular mantra among many youths, “Do your own thing”, has encouraged some young people to experiment with alcohol. For many, however, what begins as social drinking gradually develops into a dependence that is difficult to escape. During the burial at Luveve Cemetery, this writer was stunned to see some teenagers drinking alcohol just a stone’s throw away from where the deceased was about to be laid to rest.

Equally disturbing is the growing tendency by some individuals to consume, sell or distribute alcohol and other intoxicating substances at funerals. Such occasions are meant to honour the deceased and provide comfort to grieving families, yet in some instances they have become venues for irresponsible behaviour.

In this regard, one is reminded of Buhera traditional leader Chief Tinotenda Garapi Mavhurudza, popularly known as Chief Chamutsa, who reportedly banned alcohol at funerals. He warned that drunkenness was fuelling fights, insults and serious disruptions at ceremonies intended to unite and support bereaved families.

Because alcohol is legal, unlike marijuana (cannabis sativa), cocaine and other narcotics, many young people mistakenly regard it as harmless. Yet therein lies a painful paradox. Many who abuse alcohol fail to recognise that it is both harmful and highly addictive.

Clinical studies have shown that small amounts of alcohol can reduce self-criticism and self-doubt.

Those who consume alcohol moderately may feel more relaxed, sociable and communicative while remaining in control of their emotions and actions. Many people also associate moderate alcohol consumption with enjoyment during social occasions such as weddings and birthday celebrations.

However, what happens when alcohol is consumed excessively?

Experts have long established that excessive alcohol intake begins to affect deeper areas of the brain responsible for judgment, perception and motor control. As this happens, people may lose social inhibitions, emotional restraint and physical co-ordination. Character flaws and behavioural tendencies that are usually kept in check can begin to surface.

Individuals struggling with unresolved anger or emotional challenges may become aggressive, abusive, destructive or reckless. At even higher levels, alcohol can depress the areas of the brain responsible for vital functions such as breathing, heartbeat and nervous system activity, potentially

leading to coma or death.

But what steps can a person take to stop drinking alcohol?

The answer may lie in an area often overlooked in modern society, where countless young people in Zimbabwe and across the world continue to battle alcoholism. According to many religious leaders, overcoming alcohol abuse requires not only determination but also spiritual guidance.

Father Alexio Mukaro, a Roman Catholic priest, said:

“Many teenagers from our church who have stopped abusing alcohol have taken action in line with Jesus Christ’s words in Matthew 5 verse 29: ‘If your right eye causes you to sin, pluck it out and pluck it from you; for it is more profitable for you that one of your members perish, than for your whole body to be cast into hell.’ Jesus was not advocating self-mutilation as such. Rather, He was stressing, metaphorically, that we should be willing to cut out of our lives anything that is spiritually harmful.

The action we take may be painful, but it will protect us from the sort of thinking and situations that can lead to alcohol abuse. Those who want to stop abusing alcohol should turn their focus on God the Creator and meditate on His great power. They should have faith in the power of frequent, heartfelt prayer. It is critically important to point out that if we drink alcohol, God holds us responsible for how we do so. He wants us to avoid levels that produce ill effects in our lives. How we handle alcohol is actually a test of our character.”

Jonathan Mpofu, a 20-year-old resident of Luveve 5, shared his own experience:

“I was addicted to alcohol myself and this addiction began to destroy my life. I would always be drunk and could hardly eat anything. I wanted to die and I once made a clumsy attempt at suicide.

However, I am thankful that I did not succeed. Through all this, my elder sister visited me regularly.

She had become a member of the Seventh-day Adventist (SDA) Church, and she tried to explain how joining this church could help me. But I wasn’t interested in joining this church, so at first I chased her away. But my sister never gave up on me. She showed so much patience and love that I finally agreed to join the SDA church. To me, surrendering to God meant giving up everything that I had valued as worth living for.

“At the time, I never expected to really enjoy life without drinking alcohol. However, words cannot describe how my life has improved and I am grateful to my sister who never gave up on me. As a result, I have learned first-hand that the Bible really does change lives. After my baptism, I studied the Holy Bible regularly and prayed constantly. A Bible passage that brought me great comfort was Lamentations 3 verse 55-56, which says: ‘I have called out Your name, O Jehovah, from the lowest pit.

You have heard my voice. Do not hide Your ear from my sighing, from my cry for help.’ I truly believe that God heard and answered my prayers because I eventually stopped drinking alcohol. Of course, there were times when I was tempted to start drinking alcohol again. I am happy to say that

I never gave in to that temptation.”

His story serves as a reminder that, while alcohol addiction can have devastating consequences, recovery is possible through support, determination and, for many, faith. The challenge for society is to ensure that young people facing despair, addiction or hopelessness receive help before tragedy strikes.

l Cuthbert Mavheko is a freelance journalist and theologian. He can be contacted on 0773963448/0775522095 or email [email protected]