MOSES MATENGA
The prevailing economic crisis in the country is fuelling drug abuse and mental health issues and has since become a security threat, Parliament heard this week.
It emerged that millions of locals engaged in drug and substance abuse were “running away” from stress as a result of economic challenges that has led to unemployment among other problems bedevilling the country.
Desperate youths across the country have resorted to marijuana, crystal meth or mutoriro, illicit brews such as tumbwa, inhalants such as glue and petrol according to a recent research by Silveira House Research Officer David Bote.
Cocaine and heroin are also being abused by the elite side of the youths.
Sources of drugs and substances, the report presented to Parliament noted, included agents, bars, shops and shebeens, pharmacies and clinics as well as friends.
“…Driving factors that needed urgent redress were mostly economic,” part of the report reads.
“Other factors included peer pressure, the pursuit of fun and happiness, lack of knowledge, lack of good parenting and shortages of recreational facilities in communities and social media were some of the main drivers of drug and substance use.”
Last year, students from Dominican Convent in Harare were expelled from school for drug abuse.
A Business Times investigation then showed that the students were victims of an online scheme where drug peddlers use social media to market drugs laced in cakes and biscuits.
Most of those who contributed to the survey (69%) accused the Government of failure to take responsibility.
The abuse of drugs, Bote noted in the report, has led to crime rate, deterioration of health at 25%; aggression at 11.9% and causing death at 7%.
A nurse at Parirenyatwa Hospital this year told a Parliamentary Committee on Health that the Annex Department for Mental Health Care was failing to cope with the number of patients coming to seek treatment at the health institution while there are no medicines and other accessories to deal with those affected.
Goromonzi North Member of Parliament Beata Nyamupinga-Karimatsenga said the drug abuse scourge is threatening to be a security threat in the country.
“I am elated to add my voice to this very topical subject and debate on a matter that is threatening to become a pandemic and a security threat if our policies are not comprehensive enough to curb the scourge,” she said.
“We do not produce hard drugs in this country and I am surprised how these drugs are finding their way into this country. It is food for thought Mr. Speaker Sir. That understanding will help us to streamline and focus on each challenge and proffer relevant policies and solutions. “
“I would also want to add my voice on the issue of Vision 2030. How do we achieve it if three quarters of the population is busy abusing drugs and different substances that are finding their way into this country?”
