FARAI CHITOTOMBE
MASVINGO- Each time Detective Inspector Hazvinei Jindu took out a new type of drug being abused by the youths the audience was left in awe as they could not believe their ears and eyes.
Jindu detailed how drugs and substance abuse have become part of life for the youths and now a national threat especially to the young generation.
She exposed and slammed the shocking increase in drugs and substance abuse in Masvingo Province at a career guidance expo organised by Priscillah Zvobgo of Panyanda Lifestyle Park located 10km from the CBD.
The colourful event that attracted big companies and higher learning institutions in Masvingo was attended by all secondary schools in Masvingo including private schools last week on Friday.
Over 700 learners took part in the first ever expo for career guidance in the ancient city which was an eye opener for pupils who intend to further their professional careers.
Inspector Jindu said the most dangerous drug being abused by the youths and students was crystal methamphetamine known in street lingo as, guka makafela, dombo or globe which contains ingredients like cocaine, ARVs, ammonium hydroxide for fertilizers, drain cleaner, battery acid as well as ethanol which may lead to death or get physically and mentally sick.
Jindu also warned about other drugs used such as Benylin and Bronclear which are unfortunately found in schools mostly and are not allowed in Zimbabwe with a striking 96.5 % of alcohol which is well above the amount found in beer as well as huge amounts of cocaine and musoja, kozodo, tumbwa, ecstacy drugs and dagga or marijuana which are also on the blacklist.
She said the drugs are causing many challenges to students like being kicked out of school with some getting sick.
“School girls and boys pass through the ‘base’ before going to school in order to get high, as they come back from school they pass through the ‘base’ again for a puff, this is real and it is happening under our noses,” said Jindu to a deafening silence from the audience who found it difficult to believe.
The senior Police officer also stressed that it is not only the youth using drugs but also adults who use different substances for various reasons.
“Men are using illegal sex enhancing tablets and coffees to improve their sex drive.
“These include pills like AK47, 7 Hour pills, big papa, cobra 120 for enlargement and stiff erections, phyto black, notorious Congo dust and a dozen other types which tend to cause prostate cancer and a weak immune system in the long run,” said Jindu.
She also said women are not left behind as they are using lightening creams and pills like Epiderm cream, Carolite cream, Movate cream and Diprosone cream to enhance their skin colour and beauty.
She said they all destroy the melanin or black pigmentation that protects humans from elements like sun rays as well as Appetito pills used by men for sex are used to enlarge hips and breasts by women which is harmful to the body since it burns fat abnormally.
“To parents and teachers, if we do not take stern measures, you will use all the money that you have saved over the years to treat your child after they have been destroyed by drugs since most of you parents today are spoiling children in the name of love,” warned the no nonsense veteran detective.
“Keep checking on your children constantly and discipline them together as well as getting help from neighbors because they know everything that happens when you are not around and do not over love your children.
“That woman vendor near your house whom you despise is a bank of information, she knows all the happenings in the neighbourhood and about your children, whom she hangs out with and where she spends the day and what time she comes back home and in what state,” Jindu added.
Meanwhile, Panyanda Lifestyle Park was a hive off activity as students from secondary schools in Masvingo had the rare opportunity to get career guidance from companies like TelOne, NMB Bank, Regency Group of Hotels, Eben Hardware, AFC Bank, Reformed Church University, Great Zimbabwe University, Masinire Hospital, ZRP, Masvingo WEDO, American Embassy and the host.
Schools that attended include Zimuto High, Chinembiri Secondary, Chitenderano Secondary, Chidzikwe Secondary, Chibi High, St Antony, Ndarama High, Chidyamakono High, Mukaro High, Sacred Heart, Pamushana High, Siveira High and Bere High.
Other schools that attended the prestigious event are; Manunure High, Mapanzure, Mudavanhu High, Sandon Academy and Chitonhora Secondary among others.
Tinotenda Chokuda and U6 student from Sandon Academy in Gutu said the experience was very beneficial.
“We came here to learn how to venture into different careers and I have learnt that drug abuse is bad because it destroys your career and may fail to get a recommendation letter for enrolment at universities.
“I also learnt that there are so many opportunities in Zimbabwe and outside that one can pursue,” said Tendai Chokuda.
Luis Machanzi who is blind from Mutendi High School said his ambition is to become a lawyer and has come to know more about the requirements from GZU and RCU which were exhibiting at the career expo.
“My name is Luis Machanzi from Mutendi High School. My ambition is to become a lawyer and I heard if someone clocks 15 points at A level they can be a lawyer so I want to focus on becoming a lawyer in life”.
“My name is Sibandiswa Moyo from Sandon Academy, Gutu. We came here as an educational institution to learn about career guidance, it’s quite a life changing opportunity and I’m honoured to be here to learn about different types of courses on offer and be able to make a choice on career path”.
The Midweek Watch has been reliably informed that rehabilitation centres throughout the country like Ngomahuru in Masvingo, Mandipa Hope Rehabilitation Centre in Mutare, St Giles in Harare are reportedly full and half of the inmates are young girls and student doctors are also found there.
