By Tendai Chisiri
Youth Advocacy for Reform and Democracy (YARD) held its 7th Anniversary celebrations with a anti-drug and substance abuse awareness campaign in Norton on Saturday as its patron Member of Parliament for Norton Constituency Temba Mliswa showed his prowess in fighting drug and substance abuse by having a large attendance at Pakare Paye Arts Centre.
Minister of Public Service and Labour Social Welfare Hon Paul Mavima as chair of Drug and Substance Abuse Inter-Ministerial Taskforce had a keynote address read on his behalf by the Province’s Minister of State for Provincial Affairs Mary Mliswa-Chikoka in which Professor Mavima said the 7th Anniversary is focused on the fight against Drugs and Substance Abuse, Violence and Crime amongst Youth.
“The aim of our campaign today is to conscientise communities on the negative aspects impacts of Drug and Substance abuse and also to give the youths a platform to network and build cordial relationships and come up with the strategies that you think should be put in place in response to drug and substance menace”, Professor Paul Mavima said in the speech.
“Our country is experiencing an upsurge in illicit drug use and trafficking especially among the children , youth and the general population. Access to has now became simpler than ever as some of these drugs are being invented right inside our homes, streets and communities” he added.
He said it has been brought to his knowledge that most of the young drug users are now consuming substances from diapers, glue and condoms as well as using unsterilized injections in administering these drugs.
It is now worrisome considering the risk of occuring unknown diseases, cancers and HIV and AIDS.
The event which was attended by Ministers, Members of Parliament from different political groups, Child President, Zimabwe Youth Council, Junior MPs, Junior Councillors, Civil Society Organisations and officials of the Inter-Ministerial Taskforce on Drug and Substance Abuse among others. Also in attendance were students from Harare Girls High School, Nketa High School, secondary and primary students in Norton Constituency and Norton residents.
Child President His Excellency Unathi Nyoni noted that Temba Mliswa is concerned about the well being of his constituency and nation.
We have gathered here under our collective theme, this event is our tribute to our continued fight against drug and substance abuse”, Nyoni said.
” The theme of today’s program reflects that the continent, the country and the government fight but most importantly we are all concerned about the development of our society and problems that affect our people.When comitments are made and time is made to reflect to them and value a progress until these commitments are achieved”, Nyoni added.
” Drugs and substance abuse is the new author.The pandemic acted as a catalyst to harmful practises affecting children and young. It is not uncommon to find that child marriages, child abuse, child labour, child commerical sex work are also closley tied to drug and substance abuse. Gender-based violence, crime are all linked back to drug abuse. Violence in general can be linked back to drug and substance abuse.No community is safe anymore. One can find any addict at any corner amd premise of any township or suburb around the country. No culture, community or family remains standing after a stampede by drug addict and a substance user” , he lamented.
” We apreciate the importance of the Inter-Ministerial Taskforce as an immediate reaction to the epidermic that is threatening harnessing the youth demographic dividend of Zimbabwe” Child President said.
Zimbabwe Youth Council board member Brian Sithole emphasized the need to say no to Guka or Mutoriro. The theme of the event is “No to Guka, No to Mutoriro”, is meant to stop the increasing uptake of Crystal Meth and other drugs veing abused by the youth in Zimbabwe.
“These things are bad as we are seeing the dangers that come with people who are abusing drugs and substance”, Sithole said.
“In my other life am a radio presenter, and sometimes you move around and come across young people who have used these drugs, you sit down with them , you listen to them and you see these people are intelligent, they are the future of the nation but wasting life abusing drugs and substnce so we may therefore congratulate Honourable Mliswa for having this event”, he said.
Johanne Mamombe MP Harare West and as the vice-chairperson of the Parliamentary Youth Caucus said it has became evident in the country that drug and substance abuse is on the rise due to a number of factors.
“Here we are talking about misuse and abuse of drugs. All forms of drugs that are being abused whether Guka, Mutoriro or those drugs bought over the counter should be dealt with. Even cough syrups are are being abused so that the young get drunk”, Mamombe said.
” We have the older generation selling drugs to school children. I want to congratulate Honourable Temba Mliswa for such this wonderful platform.”, she added.
She thanked him for inviting the young children. ” So we say the future is young, cath them young and they are the influencers at home. They are young and influential”, she added. She also volunteered to do like what Temba Mliswa did her constituency .
Zanu PF Youth League in the Central Committee, secretary for education Sherphard Marime said it is good to have young people in the building up of the country.
“As Africans, we should encourage each other to stop drug abuse, stop Guka, stop Mutoriro. I am happy all the political players are here today”, he said.
Temba Mliswa was left a happy man by the attendance.
“If my son is into drug and substance abuse and I am saying into saying Siya Guka, Siya Mutoriro, it becomes quite complicated for him to continue taking Mutorio and Guka”, Mliswa said.
” So it is physcological issue that when these children are siiting down with their parents, can go and tell a story that this is what happened Siya Guka, Siya Mutoriro”, he added.
” And that becomes the theme amd it becames a way that a family is able to uphold its values and make sure that they donot partake at all and if anyone in the family is partaking that, they are worried about what the children saw as children by nature are very innocent so Norton has gotten into it”, he said.
” It is not just good for Norton as we have Child President, Junior MPs, Junior Councillors. These are able to go back and talk to their own and so forth. We have planted a seed which is for the whole nation, which is for Africa and which is for the world in terms of us trying to alleviate these drugs and substance abuse mantra.
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