Lupane (New Ziana) – President Emmerson Mnangagwa has made an impassioned plea to youths to desist from taking illicit drugs and other harmful substances, but instead take up vast business opportunities being opened up by government.
Addressing youths here in commemorations marking Robert Mugabe National Youth Day, he said drug abuse, mostly by youths, had become a serious national problem, and promised aggressive government action to tackle it.
Lately, statistics have been indicating an increase in the number of mental health sufferers in the country, with the majority of cases linked to intake of illicit drugs and other substances.
Most of the sufferers are youths, who also make up the majority of inmates in mental health facilities countrywide.
President Mnangagwa said henceforth, all security services will be mobilised to help tackle the drug menace and announced tightening of border entry controls to curb smuggling.
Most of the illicit drugs and substances are smuggled through porous border entry points.
“No stones will be left unturned; communities are urged to expose those who harbour drug peddlers and merchandisers. No one is above the law,” vowed President Mnangagwa.
He also appealed for the involvement of church and traditional leaders in tackling the problem, which threatens to waste away an entire generation.
“The involvement of our traditional leaders, communities, other stakeholders and the affected youths is commendable in tackling this menace. This is more critical and more pertinent as the scourge has not spared any community, be it in rural or urban (areas),” President Mnangagwa said.
“Sound morals, ethics and values, anchored on our African philosophy of Ubuntu Hunhu are the essential foundations upon which our nation is founded. Hence, community leaders and institutions including church should continue providing leadership and guidance to our youths,” he said.
He said government was also looking at expanding mental health services as part of broader measures to tackle the illicit drug addiction menace that had gripped the country.
“The government is setting up specialized medical facilities to provide services to drug addicts and survivors of substance abuse, equally greater focus is being given to strengthen the delivery of quality services in the mental health sector and provisions related to psych- social support nets,” he said.
President Mnangagwa, noting that youths were the country’s future, urged them instead to take up huge economic opportunities being created and availed by government across all sectors.
He also implored Zimbabweans working abroad, notably South Africa, to consider coming back home to invest for the common good of the country.
“Under the Second Republic, we will continue to avail opportunities for you the youths to realize (your) full potential. The devolution and decentralization policy is ensuring that the young people have access to quality social services such as education and health facilities,” he said.
The government has created various youth empowerment and financing programmes in agriculture, mining and industry, among other sectors, to open up business opportunities for young people.
These have gone a long way in creating employment for youths and reducing unemployment levels in the country.
New Ziana
