Rutendo Chirume
Zimbabwe Heads of Christian Denominations (ZHOCD) raised concerns over drug and substance abuse by the youth saying poor police enforcement, lack of recreational facilities and rehab institutions are some of the reasons why there is continued drug abuse by the youth.
Speaking at Masvingo Provincial Leaders Forum held at Chevron Hotel on April 5 Zimbabwe Council of Churches (ZCC) Districts Chairperson Hatienzaniso Zayapi said government and responsible authorities should take serious actions to curb drug and substance abuse by the youth.
Zayapi articulated that much has been said to curb and control drug abuse but nothing much has been done on the ground to control misuse of drugs by the youths and asked the responsible authorities what they have been doing to control the new pandemic.
“Firstly the reason why there is continued drug abuse in our communities is that youth are idle with nothing to do. Some of the areas meant for recreational facilities is used for other purposes and on that note the youths end spending more time on drugs. Even the police is failing to enforce the law because by now we would not be having drug lords in the streets ,it means the police is not doing its work,”said Ziyapi.
Social welfare officer Chengetayi Nyamunda said government of Zimbabwe together with development partners are working together to fight drug abuse amongst youth and in Masvingo province and around the country have introduced inter-ministerial committee which is comprised of five pillars tasked to fight against this cause which are supply reduction pillar, demand reduction pillar ,treatment and rehabilitation pillar and community integration pillar.
“We have already started different appeals and we will be engaging different government ministries which are tasked to work against drug abuse. We have an inter-ministerial committee with has got five pillars and required multi sectorial approaches and it is cascaded here in Masvingo and all provinces in Zimbabwe. We have the supply reduction pillar which will be chaired by national security in the president’s office which will be responsible for cutting drug supply in our communities. This pillar will target drug suppliers. Secondly the demand reduction pillar will target the youths and the victims and ensure that there is enough recreational facilities and institutions or rehabs to control and cater for those already affected persons. This pillar will be led by Ministry of Youths, Sports and Culture. Harm reduction and treatment and rehabilitation pillars are separated but will be led by Ministry of health and child care and will seek to help already affected youths and provide user friendly centers which will offer solutions and platforms to help drug victims. Lastly community integration pillar is where will go back to the community and train them on how they can accommodate drug addicts who will be back from rehab since they would require close attention. We are already at an advanced stage but funding is delaying progress,” said Nyamunda
ZHOCD is a board of different dominions in the Church which seeks to strengthen the role of the Church in promoting social cohesion and civic participation within devolution process as it presents issues affecting the public community and participation of various groups of the community and ensuring ownership and oversight of these matters at provincial leadership level.
