mbulelo smpofu
Leonard Ncube, [email protected]
THE GOVERNMENT has allocated ZWG185 million to establish Matabeleland North’s first drug and substance abuse rehabilitation centre in Victoria Falls.
The facility will be housed at Mkhosana Clinic, which was previously used as a Covid-19 isolation centre. It will include offices, a waiting area and other amenities. The Victoria Falls City Council has partnered with the Ministry of Health and Child Care to implement the project, aimed at addressing the city’s significant drug abuse problem. This initiative forms part of the Government’s broader strategy to combat the national drug abuse crisis, which has seen a rise in cases among youth aged 16 to 25.
The centre is a critical component of the Zimbabwe Multi-Sectoral Drug and Substance Abuse Plan (2024–2030), launched last year to tackle drug abuse through a collaborative, multi-stakeholder approach.
Victoria Falls town clerk, Mr Ronnie Dube, welcomed the initiative, emphasising its importance in addressing the socio-economic challenges caused by drug abuse.
“This is a collaboration between the Government and the local authority. It is a very important development for us, as most of our youth are drowning in drugs, which makes them prone to diseases and affects productivity,” he said.
“We cannot continue being a nation drenched in drugs. As a local authority, we take the Government’s initiative seriously and commend it. We will have some inmates undergoing rehabilitation at the centre.”
According to the latest council report, space has been identified at Mkhosana Clinic for establishing the Drug and Substance Abuse Treatment Centre. The local authority stated that areas previously used as storerooms have been cleared and are awaiting physical refurbishment.
“The Ministry of Health and Child Care received budgetary support from the Treasury for procuring food and medicines for drug rehabilitation centres. From the same budget, ZWG185 million has been allocated for the Victoria Falls Rehabilitation Centre, to be transferred into the council’s account,” read part of the council minutes.
The resort city is one of the areas grappling with severe drug and substance abuse among residents and visitors in transit. A survey conducted by the local authority revealed that approximately 40 per cent of households had at least one person who had abused drugs.
Drug dealers are reportedly known in the city, dealing in substances such as cannabis, sex-enhancing items and skin-lightening creams. Commonly abused substances include cannabis, cocaine, crystal meth and controlled medicines like codeine-containing cough syrups and benzodiazepines.
Zimbabwe has seen a surge in drug abuse cases, particularly among young people. Statistics from organisations like the Zimbabwe Civil Liberties and Drug Network reveal that 60 per cent of psychiatric admissions are linked to drug abuse, with 80 per cent of those admitted being aged 16 to 25, including schoolchildren.
Unicef has reported that cannabis, alcohol, cough syrup, skunk, crystal meth and illegal alcohol are the most abused substances in Zimbabwe. Girls make up 41 per cent of drug abusers, while boys constitute 59 per cent.
President Mnangagwa has declared war on drug dealers, establishing an inter-ministerial taskforce to combat the escalating drug abuse crisis. The Government has also developed a multi-sectoral framework to ensure a harmonised approach and communication among stakeholders in tackling drug and substance abuse.
In 2023, Bulawayo High Court judge, Justice Maxwell Takuva, urged Parliament to introduce stringent laws mandating lengthy sentences for drug dealers to effectively address the issue.
Speaking at the opening of the High Court Hwange Circuit, he noted that existing laws on drugs were vague, making it challenging for law enforcement and prosecutors to secure appropriate charges. Consequently, many drug dealers are acquitted due to technicalities arising from inadequate legislation.
Authorities have also encouraged parents and guardians to monitor their children to prevent drug and substance abuse.
Drug and substance abuse has become a significant public health, socio-economic and national security challenge, posing a potential threat to Zimbabwe’s development agenda.—@ncubeleon
