Police in Manicaland Province has expressed serious concern on the rising cases of drug and substance abuse arguing that the penal provisions were not deterrent enough to fight the scourge.
In an interview with The Midweek Watch on the sidelines of Drug, Substance Abuse and Addiction Campaign launch that was held at Mutare Teachers’ College on Monday (today), CID Narcotics and Drugs, acting officer in charge Detective Assistant Inspector Nathaniel Mugawa said there was a high number of young people ranging from 10-40 years of age who are being caught abusing or transporting drugs.
Mugawa reiterated that as a province drug abuse is prevalent in Mutare urban, Hauna business centre in Honde Valley, Vengere, Gaza, Checheche all in Chipinge as well as Murambinda in Buhera.
“The issue of drugs and substance abuse is very rife especially here in Manicaland. Drugs of particular concern are dagga and crystal meth. Statistically we have a high number of youths ranging from 10-40years who are being caught abusing or transporting such drugs.
“With reference to all the acts that have to do with drugs, there are penal provisions which are there. Most of these provisions are negligible given penalties.
“The Act does not allow a presiding officer to exceed level 10 fines which means the presiding officer can opt to go for level 1 or 2. The schedule of fines trivializes the use of drugs if committed, worse still there is an option of paying fine.
“Those who use or are into drug business move around with cash and have no problem paying the fines because they take advantage of the laxity of the law,” he said.
A medical practitioner at Manicaland State University of Applied Sciences Dr. Chenaimoyo Brenda Makoni weighed in and said the youths are the most affected by drugs in the province.
“We are here to let them know the medical effects associated with abusing drugs. We are focusing mainly on the mental health issues that come with using drugs, physical and social effects.
“Drugs are grouped in three classes whereby the first one is identifying the route of administration. Most of the drugs are either smoked or inhaled and cause damages to the lungs’ airways to the mouth. Then we have direct effect of drugs which damage brain cells. The last one is related to risky behaviour that comes when one takes drugs,” said Dr. Makoni.
FOCUS regional director, Tivakudze Zhou highlighted that the campaign being held under the theme “Be a brother’s keeper” is an initiative that will help students at tertiary institutions to help themselves.
“They help us identify students who are still into drugs. There has been a sharp increase of students experiencing problems.
“Our theme is going to help them help themselves. Identify the need, bring the information to us and we also chip in to help them.
“From a Christian perspective we are teaching students to fear sin and we are looking at projects that we want to start so that they can occupy themselves after having completed their courses,” said Zhou.
He indicated that at the moment Manicaland province does not have adequate rehabilitation centres to cater for those who would be into drugs. He said plans were afoot to have rehabilitation centres at every tertiary campus.
