AMID a growing drug problem that has been described as a silent epidemic sweeping across Zimbabwe’s townships, organisations helping youths have called upon the government to invest in rehabilitation centres to stem substance abuse.
NYASHA CHINGONO
With 10 youths reportedly dying in Harare’s Mbare suburb from the use of crystal meth, popularly known as mutoriro in street lingo, the country risks losing a generation to drug abuse.
Zimbabwe does not have public rehabilitation centres where drug users can be treated and reintegrated into society, while the available private institutions are beyond the reach of many poor families.
The abuse of crystal meth and other deadly substances has become so rampant among youths across the country, driving mental illness, violence, and premature deaths, among other problems.
Mubatirapamwe, a local organisation assisting youths in Chitungwiza who are addicted to mutoriro said the drug problem required a collective effort from the government and private organisations.
Inundated by dozens of daily requests for help from desperate families, the organisation says more players should join the fight against drug abuse in the townships.
“We receive more than 20 calls per day. We have not yet grown to the extent of helping everyone, but we try to talk to and help everyone. We offer counselling, we really tell them the need to go to hospital and to be honest about their addiction. We really advise that,” Christine Madamombe of Mubataripamwe told The NewsHawks.
“As a small organisation that is starting up, we cannot do it on our own. So, government comes in handy because it has facilities that are ready to help, although they are not enough.”
She added: “The sad part is that while most of these children are at rehabilitation stage, it is difficult to access such facilities as the private institutions are expensive. If only government can develop these institutions, then we have somewhere to help these youths.”
Madamombe, who has been spearheading the fight against drug abuse in Chitungwiza, said many families in the townships are affected by drug use.
The absence of proper rehabilitation mechanisms had created a vicious cycle of drug abuse as users often relapse, Madamombe added.
“After detox, they need rehabilitation, but there are no rehabilitation facilities to help these children. Most of them are going back into the community without completing the process and it is a vicious cycle, they get hooked onto drugs again,” she said.
Organisations like Mubatirapamwe Trust identify victims, provide counselling and rehabilitation.
Madamombe said the organisation also engages families of the affected youths to provide wholesome counselling, create a support system, post-detoxification and rehabilitation.
“We normally talk to the parents and offer to continue helping the children. One of the children we are helping is ready to go back to school. He has been out of hospital for a week now,” she said.
“When you reach out to one child who is affected by these drugs, more come also needing help. The whole community requires help, most of the families in the townships need help because they are affected by this drug, one way or another.”
Mubatirapamwe called upon the government to take the drug abuse crisis seriously and invest in support clinics.
“We need specialised clinics for crystal meth to detox the drug and offer extensive medical help to these children.
Rehabilitation centres are also needed to help these children,” Madamombe added.
The girl child has not been spared rampant drug and sexual abuse at the hands of drug peddlers, who demand sexual favours for a fix.
“It is sadder for the girl child because most of these girls are being raped and have unwanted babies, which they fail to take care of.”
Madamombe is however happy about the progress of Tamar (pictured), a 20-year-old former drug user who is in rehabilitation. After four years of substance abuse, Tamar sees a way out of her addiction.
“For Tamar, I am grateful to God Almighty, she has improved amazingly from when we started with her. She has kept her spirits high; she is a powerhouse and I very happy about her progress. In the future, she can make other children change. This is where my focus is, to have someone who has gone through what she has and is showing great progress,” she said.
According to the ministry of Health, six out of 10 patients admitted to Zimbabwe’s mental health institutions have drug-related problems.
According to the latest Zimbabwe National Drug Master Plan, the government has adopted both an integrated and comprehensive approach that will address a range of drug-related issues.
These include illicit and licit drugs. Critics however doubt that most targets will be achieved.
“Currently, approximately 60% of patients admitted in mental health institutions suffer due to drug-related problems,” reads the report in part.
