Story by Sifiso Sibanda
Government has revealed plans to unveil structured empowerment programmes that will keep youths occupied and away from drug and substance abuse.
Setting the tone on what needs to be done as a solution to the menacing drug and substance abuse, the Minister of Youth, Sport, Arts and Recreation, Dr Kirsty Coventry said there is an urgent need to open sports and vocational centres to impact skills to youths so that they concentrate on productive activities and stay away from drugs.
She noted, “As a nation, we need to replace drugs with structured programmes that empower young people with development skills so that they are a skilled human capital that is part of the building blocks of the nation.”
“So as youths demand opportunities we as a government want to ensure that facilities for skills training are availed nationally.”
Chairperson of the Inter-Ministerial Taskforce on Drugs and Substance Abuse, Professor Paul Mavima, who is also the Minister of Public Service, Labour and Social Welfare said they are working hard to ensure that youths are part of Vision 2030 by availing technological tools to them so that they shy away from drugs.
“As we say no to drug and substance abuse, we want our youths to be capacitated through centres of innovation,” he said.
He added, “We also want to eradicate drug and substance abuse and all communities must be a Part of the solution.”
The Vice President, General Retired Dr Constantino Chiwenga reiterated the need for a drug-free nation that is achievable through a multiplicity of strategies and the involvement of all citizens in the process.
“Government is focusing on creating a drug-free nation by 2030 and youths especially students are our major target in this process of ensuring that we secure our future and redirect energies to the productive sectors,” he stated.
The engagement ran under the theme: Creating a Young People-Led Economy by 2030 Through Fighting Drug and Substance Abuse.
