Logic Chatikobo
Despite the government of Zimbabwe’s considerable efforts to control the growing drug abuse epidemic, drug abuse among the youth in low-income communities continues to rise.
The Zimstats, 2022 Census report estimated that Zimbabwe has a total of 15.2 million people, of which 32 percent are between 10-24 years old.
This growing youth population has been recorded to the most affected by drug abuse impacting their social behavior, mental health, economic development capacity and in some cases leading to premature death, which eventually impacts on population and economic growth.
The World Health Organization (WHO), defines drug or substance abuse as the harmful or hazardous use of psychoactive substances including alcohol and illicit drugs. WHO further states that the key impacts of illicit drug use on society is the negative health consequences to the individual users, their families and the economy. According to WHO, substance abuse is influenced by the population’s gender, age and the rate of urbanization.
In Hopley, a low-income settlement situated in the southern part of Harare, there are reported cases of youths taking illicit and dangerous drugs. The commonly used drugs being abused by the youth in the settlement include mutoriro, kambwa, dombo and guka which affects one’s mental health and may lead to permanent brain damage if consumed in excess for long periods of time.
The World Drug Report, 2023 states that substance abuse among teenagers and young people has become part of a pattern of unsafe behavior which has gradually become a prominent health problem.
Melody Ruzvidzo a youth community leader in Hopley says the rate at which the youth are taking drugs is worrying and it is affecting social and economic development within the area.
“The youth are taking the illicit drugs such as crystal meth (Dombo). When intoxicated they lose their morals and they start abusing their elders, speaking foul language without fear. Their future is also at risk due to the health consequences of taking such drugs,” Ruzvido says.
Ruzvidzo added that the community is at risk from the bad behavior from the young boys who are taking the drugs. As a result of the youth taking drugs in the community, sexual harassment cases have also increase.
“In some cases, they end up stealing in people’s homes so that they can get money to satisfy their addiction. When intoxicated they tend to be very violent towards people in the community. They even sexual harass people in the community and in other times they even rape young ladies. People are living in fear,” Ruzvidzo added.
Youth Against Drug Abuse Advocate based in Hopley, Ottilia Hlavanga says the causes of substance abuse among the youth include peer pressure, unemployment and burdens of life. She says the youth needs to be empowered through vocational training to develop entrepreneur skills that enable them to create self help working opportunities.
“There is need for government and civil society organizations to work on models that promote youth’s empowerment in Hopley so that they can resist peer pressure influences. The youths need employment opportunities that in order to be gainfully occupied and keep off the drugs,” Hlavanga said.
