President Emmerson Mnangagwa says drug and substance abuse continues to rob Zimbabwe of the youth dividend that should be at the center of the country’s developmental thrust.
He was speaking during an economic development conference meant to ensure a drug-free nation by 2030 in Bulawayo this Wednesday.
The government has provided $500 million under the drug and substance abuse mitigation fund to accelerate the fight against drug abuse.
This was said by President Mnangagwa while officiating at the inaugural Development Conference towards a drug-free nation for the Attainment of Vision 2030 at the Zimbabwe International Trade Fair (ZITF) Exhibition Centre in Bulawayo on Wednesday. He said:
It is my expectation that the $500 million availed by my government under the drug and substance abuse mitigation fund will accelerate high-impact activities and results in this fight to end drug abuse.
These activities should reach out to every corner of Zimbabwe, no one and no place should be left behind.
The need to mitigate the harm associated with substance abuse as well as negative health and psycho-social effects through the provision of holistic treatment services for affected individuals and families remains critical.
Mnangagwa also said the government will establish more screening and counselling centres for drug and illegal substance abusers.
According to the Society for the Study of Addiction (SSA), Zimbabwe’s illicit substance use problem increased dramatically during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Commonly used substances in Zimbabwe include glue, bronclee, mangemba, cane sprit, marijuana, codeine and methamphetamine (crystal meth).
In case you have a son, daughter, friend, or relative who has a problem with drug abuse, the following public psychiatric institutions offer help in fighting drug addiction:
1. Sally Mugabe Psychiatric Unit (Harare)
2. Parirenyatwa Annex Psychiatric Unit (Harare)
3. Ingutsheni Psychiatric Hospital (Bulawayo)
4. Ngomahuru Hospital and Half-way House (Masvingo)
The following institutions also offer counselling and rehabilitation services for patients battling drug addiction:
1. Highlands Halfway Home +2638644210999
2. Ruwa Rehabilitation Centre +263273790238
3. Serenity Mind Centre +263716825245
4. Tirivanhu Rehabilitation +263773593014
5. Beatrice Rehabilitation Harare
6. Tariro Rehabilitation Centre, Harare
In other news – Independence Day celebrations expected to benefit Mt Darwin community
The Pfura (Mt Darwin) Rural District Council says the hosting of Independence Day celebrations in Mt Darwin has brought with it a lot of benefits to the community.
All the feeder roads in Mt Darwin Township are undergoing maintenance by the local authority and the Rural Infrastructure Development Agency (RIDA), formerly the District Development Fund (DDF).Learn More
