Beatific Gumbwanda
CHIREDZI- Town Council vice chairperson and ward 3 councillor Ropafadzo Makumire who recently graduated from the Mandela-Washington Fellowship’s Young African Leadership Initiative (YALI) recently united various stakeholders towards the fight to end drug abuse as he held a community Mental Health awareness programme at Chitsanga Hall.
The Ministry of Health and Child Care and Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) pledged to work together with the community towards eradicating ballooning drug abuse cases in Chiredzi,
Various stakeholders and community leadership last week converged at Chitsanga Hall to discuss solutions towards curbing the exponentially growing drug abuse in the sugarcane town, where the Ministry of Health said it is gradually being overwhelmed by the growing number of drug abuse cases while they are also urging all those addicts who need help to come forward.
Speaking during the engagement meeting at Chitsanga Hall, Chiredzi District Medical Officer Doctor Brian Dhlandhlara said the issue of drug abuse has become a pandemic such that government has developed a master plan to help mitigate the growing cases of drug abuse in our communities.
“Drug abuse have become a pandemic. Initially, budget towards drug abuse patients is limited to such an extent that we are now draining funds from other departments to help cater for drug abuse patients. More than 60% of admissions at the hospital are now being cases of drug abuse, which means the cases are growing rapidly.
“So the government developed a master plan to help in the reduction of drug abuse as well as the distribution. We are opening hands to all those who seek help and government has decriminalized those who want to receive medical care.
“The master plan includes the reduction of demand through decriminalizing those drug users who wish to seek help, educational awareness, supply reduction where we will work in tandem with the ZRP to cut the supply chain of drugs, training of mental health nurses as well as establishing halfway houses where psychologists will be availed to help people,” said Dr Dhlandhlara.
Chiredzi Residents and Ratepayers Association (CHIRRA) chairperson Jonathan Shonhiwa urged parents to take extra care of their children than letting maids take care of everything.
Shonhiwa also urged the police to work hand in glove with the community in order to curb the trade of drugs.
“Parents should take extra care of their children whenever they come back from school. Most parents no longer have that care children need from them which makes it easier for them to engage in illicit drug abuse. The police also should provide suggestion boxes where cases involving those dealing with drugs will be reported as some of the drug lords have a strong connection with the police,” said Shonhiwa.
United Chiredzi Residents and Ratepayers Association Advocate Officer Constance Chikumbo also urged council to develop fallen infrastructure for recreational facilities where youths can spend much of their time.
“The state of recreational facilities such as Chitsanga Hall, the Tennis Court and Tshovani Stadium needs a facelift in order support our future generations. These recreational facilities will help freshen up their minds,” said Chikumbo.
Drug and substance abuse has been rampant among the youthful generation.
