Communities march against drug abuse

Story by Farai Gwaze

LOCAL communities continue to push for the eradication of drugs, with the church leading from the front.

A destroyed generation… those lucky to survive the horrors of being hooked to dangerous substances can only wish for a second chance in life.

This is the story of Kundai (not his real name), a former drug addict who looks back at his life with disdain and regret.

“I’ve not achieved anything in life by using drugs, drinking alcohol and smoking cigarettes, except to lose everything. To lose respect in society, to get into fights, to be beaten, when you’re drunk you end up just being a problem. So, my main advice to young people growing up is let’s desist from taking drugs,” he said.

It’s a battle against a cunning opponent and parents are taking it head on with an awareness march in Corrowborough held in Harare this Saturday.

“We discovered in the community we are facing issues with drugs. We are trying to curb those issues, so we have to choose to work with the community speaking with people who are using drugs and tell them that it’s possible to have a better life and that God loves them. We are also rehabilitating from the past two Sundays we’ve been gathering with people who are affected by drug and substance abuse and we’ve been having counseling sessions with them and also teaching them that it’s not good to use drugs,” said youth leader, Tanaka Chikwavaire.

Drugs and substance abuse in Zimbabwe is moving with ruthless ferocity, seriously affecting thousands of youths.

The government is scaling up efforts to contain the pandemic including, among other measures, strengthening enforcement at ports of entry and arresting kingpins pushing the dangerous substances.