Call for more drug rehabilitation centres
TENDAI BHEBE N BULAWAYO
A Bulawayo-based youths organisation, Active Youths Zimbabwe has implored the government to set up drug rehabilitation centres in all the country’s provinces.
The call by Romio Matshazi, the director of Active Youth Zimbabwe, comes at a time Bulawayo does not have a dedicated rehabilitation centre. Drug abusers are often referred to Ingutsheni Central Hospital, a psychiatric institution.
“In Zimbabwe, rehabilitation centres are there but they are more expensive and they are privately owned. We are calling for government efforts to come up with proper drug rehabilitation centres. Maybe in each and every province because we realize that drug abuse has become high and rampant in the community,” Matshazi said.
He added: “We have been trying to lobby for this as youths but our efforts have not been fruitful.
“Drug abuse did not start in Zimbabwe but it’s a global crisis in developed countries. However, in our country we do not have resources like testing kits needed. We still do not have that technology to curb the problem. So this is a worrying issue indeed.”
Police in Bulawayo said drug dealers were operating within communities selling drugs which include imbanje, crystal meth, broncleer and injengu.
In an interview, Bulawayo police spokesperson Inspector Abedinico Ncube said members of the public should protect the young people from committing drug related offenses.
“Apart from the issue of sexual harassment and abuse, there are drug related cases. We also realise that adults are involved together with our youths.
“So we are appealing to the members of the public to protect our youth and not to have any environment or situation which will be conducive for any criminal act that can happen between the victim and the perpetrator,” he said.
Recently, more than 13 000 drug peddlers were arrested by police under its ongoing operation against drug abuse.
