Sundaymail Editor
Pretiosa Chimuti
THE Zimbabwe Youth Council (ZYC) has applauded the move by President Mnangagwa to set up an inter-Ministerial committee to tackle drug and substance abuse among youths.
The high level committee is chaired by the Ministry of Public Service, Labour and Social Welfare, deputised by the Ministry of Youth, Sport, Arts and Recreation.
ZYC spokesperson Mr Tanzikwa Guranungo told The Sunday Mail that the committee will help nip the drug abuse menace in the bud.
“As the ZYC and custodians of youth associations and young people, we are happy with what the President has done by appointing an inter-ministerial committee to deal with drugs and other illicit substances,” said Mr Guranungo.
“Young people are taking various dangerous drugs that are affecting them mentally.
“Drug peddlers should be severely dealt with because the future of this country is in the hands of young people, hence they need protection from these harmful drugs.”
He said some youths are suffering from the effects of dangerous drugs, which include developing severe mental health challenges.
The ZYC, he said, calls for the imposition of deterrent custodial sentences on individuals distributing dangerous drugs to the youth.
“We call for severe deterrent measures and sentences to be imposed on drug peddlers and abusers.
“We shall be doing lots of awareness campaigns countrywide on the dangers of drugs.
“We need to inform and educate youths on the dangers and effects of illicit drugs,” he said.
Of late the country has been overwhelmed by cases of substance abuse among the youths, with crystal methamphetamine, commonly known as ‘mutoriro’, being identified as one of the drugs most popular with local youths.
The Ministries of Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services, Home Affairs and Cultural Heritage, Primary and Secondary Education and Higher and Tertiary Education, Innovation, Science and Technology Development are also part of the committee.
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