The drug and substance abuse rehabilitation centre established by First Lady Auxillia Mnangagwa in Mbare is already buckling under immense pressure, just weeks after opening its doors, as hundreds of addicts across Zimbabwe plead for help. The overwhelming demand has thrown a harsh spotlight on the country’s escalating drug and substance abuse crisis.
The Angel of Hope Foundation’s rehabilitation facility, which officially began operations on July 12, was intended to serve as a beacon of hope for people struggling with addiction. Yet, less than a month later, the centre is housing 90 clients, with a waiting list of more than 600 applicants desperately seeking admission. The centre’s maximum capacity is 200, meaning that without immediate expansion, many in need will continue to go without life-saving assistance.
The centre offers a comprehensive one-month programme designed to treat and rehabilitate individuals battling drug and substance abuse. The regimen includes group therapy sessions, professional counselling, and psychological assessments, all aimed at equipping participants with the tools to reintegrate into society. Crucially, the services are offered free of charge, making them accessible to people who would otherwise be unable to afford rehabilitation.
During a tour of the facility on Wednesday, Health and Child Care Minister Dr Douglas Mombeshora commended the rapid uptake of services, describing it as both encouraging and alarming.
“Having been opened only three weeks ago, it is already housing more than 90 clients, and its full capacity is 200,” said Mombeshora. “This is very, very commendable in terms of the service being offered, but it is also a reflection of the dire need across the country.”
Auxillia Mnangagwa’s Mbare Rehab Centre Overwhelmed as Drug Crisis Deepens
Angel of Hope has joined forces with the Ministry of Youth Empowerment and Development to provide vocational training and other youth services to those who successfully complete the rehabilitation programme. The aim is to ensure that recovering addicts not only leave the centre sober, but also equipped with skills to pursue sustainable livelihoods.
However, the sheer size of the waiting list has prompted urgent calls for more rehabilitation facilities across Zimbabwe. Angel of Hope administrator Charles Nyamukubva said the situation underscored the scale of the problem.
“We want to thank the First Lady, Amai Dr Auxillia Mnangagwa, for coming up with this idea,” Nyamukubva said. “Because it’s free, it’s accessible to many people who could not otherwise get this kind of help. The programme keeps participants engaged through activities and skill-building, especially since most of them have not completed their O’ Level education.”Minister Mombeshora warned that drug abuse is now a nationwide epidemic, affecting urban and rural areas alike. He urged development partners, churches, and community organisations to come together to create more affordable rehabilitation centres that can meet the growing demand.
“We have always advocated for partnerships with anyone willing to help build Zimbabwe,” he said. “What I also urge is that these centres do not overcharge. Many people simply cannot afford high fees and will continue to suffer if help remains out of reach.”
The government has already launched a fundraising drive to establish drug and substance abuse rehabilitation centres in every district. Officials hope this will not only provide treatment for those already affected, but also serve as a deterrent for would-be users.
“With over 600 applications already, the Angel of Hope centre is well-positioned to lead the fight against substance abuse in Zimbabwe,” Mombeshora noted.
Zimbabwe’s drug crisis has been fuelled largely by high unemployment, economic hardship, and the easy availability of illicit substances. Cannabis, crystal methamphetamine (known locally as mutoriro), cough syrups, and other dangerous substances are increasingly being abused by young people—many of them teenagers.
The government has declared a full-scale war on drug trafficking and abuse under the campaign No To Dangerous Drugs And Illicit Substances: See Something, Say Something. President Emmerson Mnangagwa has personally called for tougher penalties for both users and the criminal networks that supply them, warning that the scourge threatens to destroy the country’s future generation.
Reports from mental health institutions reveal that a rising number of admissions involve adolescents battling severe addiction, sometimes after just months of exposure to hard drugs.
The situation at the Mbare centre is a clear signal of the magnitude of the crisis. While the facility represents an important step forward in Zimbabwe’s fight against substance abuse, the demand far outstrips the available resources. Without urgent expansion of rehabilitation services nationwide, experts warn that the problem could spiral further out of control.
For now, the Angel of Hope Foundation continues to serve those it can, offering treatment, skills training, and a pathway to recovery. But for the hundreds on the waiting list—and the countless others still trapped in addiction—the wait for help remains agonisingly long.
Source- Bulawayo24
