shloboe boe
Brenda Rumutsa
AMID Zimbabwe’s dynamic and promising youth culture, there exists an opportunity to shape a brighter future, but it comes with a pressing challenge. The intersection of drug abuse and sexual reproductive health and rights (SRHR) issues is creating vulnerabilities that threaten the nation’s health systems, education outcomes and socio-economic progress. This complex and troubling combination is weaving a web of danger for adolescents and young adults. The intersection of substance misuse and risky sexual behaviours is more than just a health issue — it has the potential to undermine the very fabric of society.
With rising cases of unplanned pregnancies, sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and HIV, among young people, action is more critical than ever. The connection between drug use and risky sexual behaviour is well-documented globally and resonates deeply within Zimbabwe’s context. Substance abuse often exacerbates vulnerability to gender-based violence, further compounding the challenges faced by young people. This complex intersection not only threatens their health and safety but also undermines their potential to build a secure and prosperous future.
Adolescents who abuse substances such as alcohol, marijuana and harder drugs are significantly more likely to engage in unprotected sex, have multiple sexual partners and participate in transactional or survival sex. These behaviours, often fuelled by impaired judgment while under the influence of drugs, place young people at an even greater risk of contracting STIs and HIV. Alarmingly, a new trend known as “hot-spotting” has emerged, where blood from a drug-intoxicated individual is injected into others in an attempt to replicate the same effect. This practice, along with the use of unsterilised sharps, significantly increases the risk of HIV transmission and other blood borne infections. For a country like Zimbabwe, where the HIV epidemic remains a burden on the healthcare system and communities, this dangerous combination complicates ongoing national efforts to reduce the spread of the virus and improve health outcomes.
Substance abuse is far-reaching in its consequences. It does not only affect physical health but also infiltrates mental processes and decision-making abilities. This interference limits the capacity of young people to practice safer sexual behaviours. Adolescents under the influence of drugs are far less likely to use condoms, less capable of negotiating sexual boundaries, and unlikely to seek appropriate reproductive health services when needed. This lack of proactive engagement with safe practices often leads to long-term negative health consequences. The prevalence of these behaviours is further exacerbated by the limited access to comprehensive SRHR education and youth-friendly health services, particularly in rural areas. Healthcare providers and clinics in rural areas are often unequipped to handle the unique challenges faced by adolescents who grapple with the dual burdens of substance abuse and SRHR-related risks. This gap in service provision perpetuates cycles of untreated STIs, unwanted pregnancies and substance addiction, placing even greater strain on already overstretched public health resources.
Socio-economic factors only serve to amplify this crisis. In communities characterised by high unemployment rates and limited recreational or educational opportunities, adolescents often turn to drugs as a form of escapism or a misguided coping mechanism. For some, the stress of poverty and hopelessness drives them towards substance use, seeing it as an outlet to alleviate their challenges. Peer pressure and the normalisation of drug use within certain social groups and communities play a significant role in introducing young people to substances at an early age. This exposure, often occurring during critical developmental stages of adolescence, traps young individuals in cycles of dependency, poor judgment and unhealthy decision-making patterns.
For young girls, the risks associated with this intersection are particularly severe and far-reaching. Transactional sex becomes a survival strategy for those facing economic hardship or social vulnerability. While this provides temporary relief from immediate challenges, it further exposes girls to exploitation, sexual violence and health risks such as STIs. The effects of transactional sex extend beyond the individual, impacting families and communities as they deal with the broader social and economic repercussions.
Stigma is another significant barrier to addressing these issues. The stigma surrounding drug use and sexual activity frequently discourages young people from seeking help. In most Zimbabwean societies, cultural and social norms often render open discussions about SRHR issues taboo. This leaves many adolescents uninformed and unsupported at critical moments when they need guidance the most.
Addressing these interconnected challenges effectively requires a holistic and multi-dimensional approach. Healthcare providers need specialised training to understand and address the needs of adolescents struggling with both substance abuse and its consequences on their sexual health. Stigma reduction, improved access to services, and equipping young people with practical tools to make healthier choices must be central to these interventions.
Tackling the intersection of drug abuse and SRHR challenges requires collective action across all sectors of society. Government agencies, civil society organisations, healthcare providers, educators, parents and young people themselves must collaborate to create a framework that addresses the root causes of these interconnected issues. This includes addressing socio-economic inequalities, providing safe spaces for adolescents and fostering open and honest dialogues about the realities young people face today. Only through co-ordinated and inclusive efforts can Zimbabwe hope to overcome this crisis.
The nation’s youth are its greatest asset, representing boundless potential for a brighter future. However, this promise is being seriously undermined by the twin crises of substance abuse and risky sexual behaviours, which are progressively eroding the health, well-being and potential of our young population. The intersection of drug abuse and sexual reproductive health and rights (SRHR) challenges goes beyond being a mere public health issue; it is a matter of national significance that touches the core of the nation’s future. Various players, including government agencies, NGOs and community groups, are making commendable efforts to reduce the impact of substance abuse and its link to SRHR challenges.
However, for these efforts to bear fruit, it is crucial that the youth pay attention, engage and respond to these initiatives. The harmful effects of substance abuse and risky sexual behaviours can only begin to diminish through the active participation of the youth. Addressing these crises urgently is not just essential — it is a moral obligation that will shape the course of the nation’s future.
