Junior Council fights child marriages and drug abuse

Banket – YOUTHS all over the country continue to suffer, die young, and commit
crimes, dropout out of school because of drug abuse.

Even in some mature people drug abuse is rampant and this retards families and the
country’s development because once a person starts taking these dangerous
substances it is rare that they fully recover and revert to being normal.

The Government and other organisations are fighting hard to end drug abuse.
In a bid to curb taking of dangerous substances, Zvimba Rural District Junior
Councillors have joined hands with the Ministry of Women Affairs to fight against drug
and substances abuse.

Last week, different schools in Zvimba came together at Kuwadzana Hall in Banket to
march against drug abuse, early child marriages and rights for children.
The event was also attended by Zvimba Rural District Council committee.

Addressing the junior councilors, Zvimba Council chairman, Spencer Magaya, urged
youths not abuse the advantages they have as children, girls getting married early,
abusing each other, but to strive, to work hard and desist from peer pressure and stop
taking drugs.

“As children, you should be thankful for this Government because they have managed
to build many schools around communities compared to our time where some of us
used to walk long distances. So, use these advantages wisely. Young girls avoid getting
involved with older men. There are always consequences. There is need to help each
other stop early marriages and unwanted pregnancies.

“As students, you should stop bullying each other as this is also contributing to others
venting on drugs and even suicides. So, teach one another to work hard for your future
and to abstain from everything,” said Magaya.

Guest of honour at the event, Cecelia Chitiyo, said children should love themselves first.
She also advised senior councillors, who were present to act their age and be good
examples to the young ones.

“Love yourself first, because if you do that you protect and guard yourself jealously then
everything else follows. Taking drugs robs us of our destiny, destroys it before we even

arrive. Don’t even attempt, instead run away from them. Respect is earned but it comes
from yourself first.

“Our kids look up to us, let’s be good role models. The building of these children’s lives,
comes from us. If you are a parent, would you want your child to behave the same way
you do? These children emulate what you older people do so be a good example
because we contribute to the behaviour of our children.”

Zvimba Rural District Council CEO, Enias Chidakwa, supported the march saying
youths should be warned about the dangers of taking drugs and substances and should
refrain from taking them as it is the duty of adults to see that this generation does not
perish due to lack of wisdom.