Zimbabwe Council of Churches (ZCC) acting secretary general, Mrs Maria Dendere says as churches they are concerned about an alarming rise in drug abuse among youths around the country.
Speaking during the ecumenical national summit on drugs and substance abuse on Thursday, Mrs Dendere said drug abuse is causing mental health disorders among young people in Zimbabwe.
“A Zimbabwe National Drug Masterplan which the government unveiled in April 2021 identifies alcohol and drug abuse as one of the top causes of mental healthy problems in Zimbabwe.
“Commonly cited drugs included marijuana (mbanje), crystal methamphetamine (crystal meth), and Broncleer (Bronco),” she said.
Moreover, Mrs Dendere said the drivers of drug abuse include unemployment, peer pressure, social stress, limited parental control and lack of awareness campaigns.
“In 2020 world report, the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime notes that rising unemployment and lack of opportunities will make it more likely that the poor and disadvantaged people engage in harmful patterns of drug use, suffer drug use disorders and turn to illicit activities linked to drugs,” explained Dendere.
Statistic from the Anti-Drug abuse Association of Zimbabwe (2014) showed that up to 43 percent of students were found in possession of cigarettes.
Three out of five school going children either abuse drugs, deal in drugs or engages in smoking or drinking alcohol before the reach the age of 18.
Other studies have shown an increase in the use of marijuana among young people with prevalence ranging from 6.1% to 13.8%.
In addition, Mrs Dendere said everyone should play a role in ending drug and substance abuse.
“We need a holistic approach to ending drug and substance abuse among youths, it is critical that we invest time in coming up with key strategies in addressing this scourge so that our youths are empowered and saved,” added Mrs Dendere.