WHILE drug and substance abuse is a recent phenomenon, to nip it in the bud, it must be
treated as a threat to national security because of the potential disruption it portends.
The Government has declared war on drugs and in order to deal a decisive blow to the
menace, an approach should be to set up a crack unit made up of members from the security
branches in order to mount a ruthless campaign hunting down drug lords, peddlers, runners
and users.
Running parallel to and complementing the crack down on all the enabling supply chain, are
concerted efforts, by not only law enforcement agencies, but by communities, social groups,
schools, churches, mosques and tertiary institutions.
Nearly everyone has a story or an experience to tell about known cases of drug trafficking
and abuse in their street, neighbourhood, social groups, clubs, schools, colleges and
universities.
The blow dealt to society by the activities of drug lords, peddlers and users is like cancer that
attacks, slowly but relentlessly. Their activities paralyse and destroy the most productive age
groups in society.
Those familiar with the history of drug cartels in South America, will appreciate how illegal
drug syndicates threaten the stability of states by becoming parallel state unto themselves.
The abuse of drugs is rising rapidly from mbanje/dagga abuse to the more dangerous drugs
and from limited groups of drug users to a wider range of people abusing drugs – a
development that in part is largely attributed to porous national borders.Â
The trafficking in and abuse of illegal drugs problem is largely found in urban areas and
because of this there is no street, neighbourhood or community that is not aware of dodgy
drug dealings among in society.
Successful strategies from other countries and the assistance of the United Nations, which has
far more experience in assisting other nations fight drugs and drug abuse, will save society
scarce national resources.
Zimbabwe has challenges of proper and adequate rehabilitation centres, and it also takes time
to set them up, establish effective programmes, and assemble professional personnel to run
the rehabilitation centres.
Youths appears to be among the most vulnerable of groups to drugs and substance abuse, it is
for this reason that programmes aimed at prevention could target schools, tertiary institutions,
churches, mosques and clubs, as well as sites where young people hang out.
While there is no one way or guaranteed way to prevent someone from abusing drugs and
alcohol, there are things that everyone can do to prevent substance abuse:
Understanding how substance abuse develops. Substance abuse starts by using addictive
drugs (illicit or prescribed) for recreational purposes. Seeking out intoxication every time you
use and abusing prescription medication; avoiding temptation and peer pressure; developing
healthy friendships and relationships; seeking help for mental illness. Mental illness and
substance abuse often go hand-in –hand but a professional will provide an affected person
with healthy coping skills to alleviate symptoms without turning to drugs and alcohol;
Examining the risk factors; and keeping a well-balanced life because people often turn to
drugs and alcohol when something in their life is missing or not working.
Unless tough measures are taken to arrest the current situation, it is likely that the drug and
substance abuse menace will worsen.
