GWERU — Midlands Writers and Book Culture Collective has urged journalists to spread awareness
messages that fight drug and substance abuse which has become a national threat.

The founder and Executive Curator of Midlands Writers and Book Culture Collective, Mbizo Chirasha
said journalists, as key stakeholders, should join the fight against drug and substance.

The meeting was held under the theme: Current bone of contention, drug and substance abuse to
unveil our 2023-2024 calendar of activities.

He said the media played a crucial role as it informs, educates, alerts and tells the realities that befall
people’s lives.

“They have wonderful programmes that touch on various issues that include social ills, societal vices
and moral decadence issues within our communities,” he said.

Collen Chiwota from the Friendship Bench told the participants that they provide projects and
guidance that keep their clients occupied and have less time for thinking about drugs.

We provide projects that will keep youth busy and earning a living, hence minimising chances of
engaging in drug and substance abuse, he said.

Zimbabwe Union of Journalists (ZUJ) Gweru Chapter chairperson Vincent Mhene thanked Midlands
Writers and Book Culture Collective for engaging the media and emphasised that the fastest and
professional way of spreading drug abuse awareness campaigns is through media.

The media is the direct link to the public and has the best way of approaching all targeted
audiences. Therefore, the best and quickest way of getting to the people is through the media. We
are together in this fight of drugs and substance abuse as a nation because it affects everyone,
Mhene said.

Meanwhile, Midlands Writers and Book Culture Collective will on December 20 host a Poetry
Performance /Recital Crunch on Gender Based Violence, early childhood marriages and drug and
substance