The ManicaPost
Ray Bande
Senior Reporter
GOVERNMENT and civic society’s efforts to thwart rampant drug abuse must not only focus on peddlers, and end users, but cartels of international dealers who are exploiting the country’s borders to import different types of narcotics that have left youths exposed to different social ills including HIV and Aids and mental illnesses, a Government Minister has said.
Illicit drug use and addiction have been inextricably linked with HIV and Aids since the beginning of the epidemic because of resultant altered judgment and inhibition that lead people to engage in impulsive and unsafe behaviours.
In his official opening speech during a workshop for journalists held in Chinhoyi this week, Health and Child Care Deputy Minister, Dr Joseph Mangwiro, said the country’s porous borders have left youths at the mercy of unscrupulous international drug dealers who are importing different types of narcotics using multiple illegal entry points.
“The issue of drugs really needs a holistic approach to it. It is a sad and painful one. It is affecting our future. We are told that even in schools, Form Twos and Threes are being involved in this.
“However, I think it is time we look at it broadly, and not just being myopic about it. Instead of focusing more on that peddler in Kuwadzana, what are we doing about those responsible for bringing the drugs into the country. Do we have people who produce cocaine or crystal meth here?
“We need to do something to cut the supply chain. It is time we focus more on those importing these drugs into the country through illegal entry points. This is an international problem, and we need to view it as such,” said Dr Mangwiro.
He said efforts were being made to upgrade rehabilitation services of those trapped in drug abuse.
“We have also made efforts to fight the effects of rampant drug abuse. We know it is quite a massive problem. We have said each central hospital must reserve a specialised area for this problem where we can accommodate them for rehabilitation.
“This must also spread to our district hospitals. This also includes those who would have tried to commit suicide as some use drugs in that attempt,” he said.
Commonly used drugs in Zimbabwe include marijuana, codeine based substances, crystal meth, illicit brews, cocaine, heroine, domestic substances, ecstasy/prescription drugs, histalix and glue.
It is estimated that 60 percent of young people age between 16 and 35 could have used or are using illicit substances while drug use at the workplace is also on the increase.
Statistics also show that 30 percent of the country’s youth are using crystal meth also referred to as Guka Makafela or Dombo.
Concerns have often been raised that The Dangerous Drugs Act (Chapter 15) in conjunction with the Criminal Law (Codification and Reform) Act, Section 157, Chapter 9:23 have not been kept up-to-date with current thinking on how to tackle drug-related issues.
