By Tanaka Mrewa and Senzeni Ncube
The government has been urged to build rehabilitation centres for recovering drug addicts.
The suggestion was made in Parliament by Rushinga Constituency MP Tendai Nyabani, as he spoke of how the youths have been affected by drug abuse.
“Noticing that our country has gone down because of the drugs, the youths have been destroyed. People have been hurt and it appears that there is a war situation in the country because of drug abuse. We should look for ways and means to eradicate this scourge. We should see as Parliaments, how best we can resolve this problem so that our country can develop,” he said.
“People are now drinking and selling drugs everywhere including schools and workplaces. Government should come up with ways to eradicate this drug scourge. Government should also arrest all those who are involved in all types of drugs. People are brewing kachasu willy-nilly.”
Nyabani said some drug addicts have become mentally challenged hence the need to build rehabilitation centres from which they can recover.
“I have a young brother who became mentally disturbed because of drugs. We tried to rehabilitate him at Sally Mugabe Hospital but to no avail. Government should come up with stern measures for these drug peddlers. The police should play their role,” he said.
“Drugs cause mental health problems and we should not have these. If these problems are not attended to, the affected people will end up committing serious offences like murder. Parents are being attacked by their children. Some relatives are now accusing each other of witchcraft because of abuse of drugs. Government should assist by ensuring that there are sufficient jobs that are created so that these youths have something to do.”
Meanwhile, in a post-cabinet briefing, Tuesday, Minister of Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services Minister Monica Mutsvangwa said an Inter-Ministerial Task Force is making strides in the control of adverse effects of drug and substance abuse.
“Regarding the provision of Psycho-Social re-social support, Community and integration, efforts are currently ongoing in district offices. The nation is being informed that more rehabilitation centres for victims of drug and substance abused are being set up in major cities and towns in order to relieve pressure from existing institutions,” she said.
“Concurrently, steps are being taken to mobilise the whole of society from the family unit to villages Headmen and Chiefs, religious organisations, schools, law enforcement agencies, prisons, youth skills training institutions as well as health centres, in order to achieve the much-needed traction in tackling the drug and substance abuse scourge.”
She said the cabinet has also resolved to adequately equip youth training centres and to revive the broader National Youth Service Programme in order to develop youths into productive citizens.
“Youths empowerment will be enhanced through Information Communication Technology(ICT) skills training, among other essential skills that are essential in running projects for self and household sustenance.”
Mutsvangwa further added that dangerous drug and substance suppliers will be tracked down and prosecuted, with deterrent sentences set to be introduced.
“Culprits will be named and shamed. More patrols will be mounted to curb the sale of dangerous drugs and substances, while liquor outlet owners will be required to operate within stipulated business hours,” she said.
“Surveillance is being enhanced at all ports of entry and exit with personnel being trained in order to effectively detect the trafficking of dangerous drugs and substances,” said Mutsvangwa.
