By Ndumiso Tshuma
In a community-driven effort, the Church of Christ and the Zimbabwe Christian Alliance (ZCA) teamed up with the Local Peace Committee of Makokoba and Mzilikazi to launch a drug awareness campaign to combat substance abuse among youths in the region.
The event, held last Friday at the Thabiso Youth Centre in Makokoba, Bulawayo, served as both an educational platform and a strategic initiative to engage and empower young people in the fight against drug abuse and the spread and prevention of HIV/AIDS.
Pastor Kevin Mpofu of the Church of Christ highlighted the connection between drug influence and incidents of violence and conflict within the community. He noted that Makokoba has become a focal point for drug trafficking and youth involvement in substance abuse, stating that the campaign’s primary goal is to address these issues and support vulnerable youth.
“The event started with the peace issues we are dealing with, and we realised that much of the violence and conflict stems from individuals under the influence of drugs. Makokoba is a hub for drug trafficking, and many youths are caught up in this cycle. We’ve seen young talents in arts and football fall into drug abuse, which has become a destructive habit among them. Tragically, many youths are losing their lives because of this,” Mpofu said.
Mpofu stressed that while there is significant talent among Makokoba’s youth, many promising individuals lose their potential due to drug abuse. The event aimed to connect with the youth through their interests in arts and sports while delivering crucial messages on drug abuse prevention and HIV/AIDS awareness.
“We planned this meeting with the intention of attracting young people through activities they enjoy, such as football, netball, and the arts. As they engage in these activities, we also deliver messages about drug abuse prevention and HIV/AIDS awareness,” Mpofu explained.
Rev. Useni Sibanda, Executive Director of the Zimbabwe Christian Alliance (ZCA),called for urgent support, rehabilitation programs, and community-led solutions.
“Substance abuse has left a trail of broken lives and families. As a nation, we must provide support and rehabilitation programs within our communities. As the Church, we commend the government’s efforts to curb drug use, including the launch of the Zimbabwe Multi-Sectoral Drug and Substance Abuse Plan (2024-2030), which is a critical step in fighting this scourge,” Sibanda said.
Rev Sibanda also spoke about the ongoing issue of gender-based violence, urging the Church to provide safe havens, counselling services, and pathways to healing for survivors.
“Alongside the drug crisis, we must confront the tragedy of gender-based violence. Women, girls, and gender minorities in our community face unacceptable levels of abuse. The Church must stand against this injustice, offering sanctuary and support for those affected. We must work to transform the toxic attitudes and power structures that perpetuate this violence,” Sibanda stated.
Deputy Minister of Industry and Commerce and Member of Parliament for Bulawayo South Constituency, Raj Modi, cited alarming statistics from Plan International, revealing that 43% of youths in Harare and Bulawayo have used drugs, while 60% of mental health patients in institutions suffer from drug-related disorders.
“The scourge of drug abuse continues to plague our neighbourhoods and threatens the well-being of our youth. Drugs are not only destroying lives but are tearing families apart and eroding the foundation of our society. It is essential that we educate our children about the dangers of substance abuse and provide support and rehabilitation for those affected,” Modi said.
