Story by Jerold Sasa
MASHONALAND East province has taken a proactive stance in the battle against drug and substance abuse by launching a fundraising initiative to combat the growing menace.
The province, which has not been spared in the drug and substance abuse scourge, held a fundraising campaign in Marondera this Saturday with a target to raise US$250 000 but surpassed the target, raising over US$400 000.
“As a nation, drug and substance abuse is a pandemic which we should all join hands to fight, so let’s all pull our resources together as we fight this scourge,” Minister of Youth and Vocational Training, Honourable Tino Machakaire said.
“Drug and substance abuse is a serious national security issue that requires an all-stakeholder approach because the future of our nation is at stake,” the Minister of Local Government and Public Works, Honourable Daniel Garwe added.
Mashonaland East Minister of State for Provincial Affairs and Devolution, Advocate Itayi Ndudzo, who was the convener of the fundraising initiative implored stakeholders in the province to pull resources together in the fight against the scourge.
“It is our collective responsibility to tackle this menace, so let’s all pull our resources together and join our national leaders to end this problem which threatens our nation,” Advocate Ndudzo added.
The province’s leadership led by example with Vice President General (Retired) Dr Constantino Chiwenga pledging US$30 000, Honourable Tino Machakaire US$20 000, Senate president Mabel Chinomona US$15 000, Honourable Garwe US$10 000, with all cabinet ministers from the province pledging US$5 000.
The corporate sector also chipped in with Doves Funeral Services led by CEO Farai Matsika, who hails from Mashonaland East, pledging US$50 000.
President Emmerson Mnangagwa last month launched the national drug and substance abuse fundraising, where over US$3 million was raised.
