Churches wade into drugs crisis

TENDAI BHEBE IN BULAWAYO
Churches in Bulawayo have launched an awareness campaign against the rampant drug abuse crisis among youths that has hit the country, Business Times can report.
Many Zimbabwean youths and even grown ups have turned ’psychotic’ as they seek solace during hard times.
Experts, however, said abusing illicit drugs, especially the illicit alcohol, could result in death from suffocation caused by the chemical entering the lungs and the central system.
This week, churches hosted an interfaith symposium on drug abuse as part of an awareness campaign against the dangers of taking drugs.
The organiser of the interfaith symposium, Father Hebert Banda from the Our Lady Queen of Peace Catholic Church in Entumbane suburb in Bulawayo said churches were making a contribution in communities.
“The symposium is basically based on religions and religious structures. Now we want to make a contribution to our communities because drug abuse is going out of control,” Banda said.
He added: “ Religious structures command certain respect from the people. And because of that we know we can have a certain influence.”
Banda said the symposium was meant to help religious leaders on how to assist youths on drug and substance abuse.
“You find that some religious ministers are not so well informed about what goes on in the society. A platform like this will then expose religious ministers to know exactly what goes on so our approach is to assist or find solutions that will then be concrete and practical,” he said.
The have been reports of young people, including school children, engaging in alcohol and drug abuse.
It is understood drug dealers are operating within communities selling drugs, which include marijuana, crystal meth, broncleer and injengu.
Meanwhile, police in Bulawayo have declared war against drug traffickers and abusers, saying those found in possession or under the influence of illicit drug substances will be immediately incarcerated.
Speaking during the campaign along Luveve road in Bulawayo,police spokesperson inspector Abedinico Ncube appealed to stakeholders to partner the police and government to combat drug abuse among youths.
“This operation is there as a launch to warn members of the public against drug abuse. We are inviting all stakeholders, including the public, school children, among others, to join hands with the police in the fight against drugs,” Ncube said.
He added:” And at this instance we are saying anyone who would be found smoking or being drunk due to drugs would be arrested. We are appealing that you support the police and the government in the fight against drugs.”