Artists Trust, ZAT to Campaign Against Drug Abuse Illicit Trafficking Countrywide

By Tendai Chisiri

Commemorating 26th of June Day against Drug Abuse and Illict Trafficking, Zimbabwe Artists Trust (ZAT), says it is going to roll out a campaign in all ten provinces with musicians, dramatists and other artists across genres to help eradicate the scourge of drug addiction.

“Zimbabwe Artists Trust joins the world in observing the 26th of June International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking, with the 2023 theme “People first: stop stigma and discrimination strengthen prevention” Acknowledging that no organization is an island each one is part of the shod/soil (with apologies to the poet). Also acknowledging William Butler Yeats, indeed ‘things have fallen apart’ the centre cannot hold, as youths fall to drug addiction, a modern cold war caused by drug barons who smuggle death into our borders, and men and women who seek to benefit by destroying our children’s’ lives”, said ZAT chairperson, founder Venenzia Madake.

In a press statement ZAT said “The Zimbabwe Artists Trust has decided to play a role in campaigning against a social pandemic that is threatening to destroy the most critical resource that Zimbabwe has, its youth. These are not only demographically the country’s moat strategic human and intellectual resource, but its present and future source of sustainable development”.

Youths constitute the major number of people involved in drugs. The World Health 2019 report, notes that Zimbabwe has the highest rate of 15 to 19-year-olds engaging in heavy “episodic drinking” in Africa, with 70.7 percent of males and 55.5 percent of females participating. In addition, this age group seriously participates in drug dealing and use.

Drugs have been known to trigger crime including raping of intoxicated females, stealing by youths in order to maintain their habits and even murder especially for those who use hard drugs such as Crystal Meth.
Drug rehabilitation centres estimate of people being treated stands at 5,000 people at any given time, whilst tens of thousands of others either not coming forward for, or getting any assistance.

Many young people take drugs for a number of reasons, including to fit in or for entertainment, escape reality or relax, relieve boredom, rebel and experiment.

This year the United Nations World Drug Day call is to raise awareness about the negative impact of stigma and discrimination on people who use drugs and their families, raise awareness about the AIDS and hepatitis epidemics among people who use drugs and expand and strengthen HIV and hepatitis prevention programmes, promote evidence-based, voluntary services for all people who use drugs, educate about drug use disorders, available treatments and the importance of early intervention and support, advocate for alternatives to imprisonment for drug-related crimes, such as community-based treatment and services, combat stigma and discrimination by promoting language and attitudes that are respectful and non-judgmental and empower young people and communities to prevent drug use and addiction.

“As Artists, we lose talent globally for instance Whitney Houston, Wacko Jacko (Michael Jackson), Gregory Isaacs, and regionally one of the most talented voices Brenda Fassie. Artists by the carload from musicians to dancers, to writers, to painters, to sculptures, to weavers, and so on are being affected by drug, substance and alcohol abuse”, said
Madake.

Unfortunately, artists are influencers beyond being entertainers, they shape the destiny of youths. In the past it was posters on the wall but today it is music, movies, books and other items in smart phones.

“The future is written in art. But other artists are betraying that important influence through drug abuse.The 26th of June is an important day for us as artists and for the youth. It is a day that reminds us to protect the future in the present. Michael (Rutherford) remarked, ‘We always sacrifice the futurbetween the present and the past.’ As Zimbabweans we can’t afford to do that. We must protect the future”, added Madake.

Monday, the 26th of June 2023 is the day that the world through the United Nations, specifically the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), observes the 26th of June International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking, with the 2023 theme “People first: stop stigma and discrimination, strengthen prevention”.

On this backdrop, the Zimbabwe Artists Trust has decided to play a role in campaign against a social pandemic that is threatening to destroy the most critical resource that Zimbabwe has its youth. These are not only demographically the country’s human and intellectual resource, but its present and future source of sustainable development.

Youths constitute the major number of people involved in drugs. The World Health 2019 report, notes that Zimbabwe has the highest rate of 15 to 19-year-olds engaging in heavy “episodic drinking” in Africa, with 70.7 percent of males and 55.5 percent of females participating. In addition, this age group seriously participates in drug dealing and use.

Drugs have been known to trigger crime including raping of intoxicated females, stealing by youths in order to maintain their habits and even murder especially for those who use hard drugs such as Crystal Meths, guka, mutoriro and bronco are rea.

Drug rehabilitation centres estimate of people being treated there is at 5,000 people at any given time, whilst tens of thousands of others either not coming forward for, or getting any assistance.

“As Zimbabwe Artists Trust, we are going to roll out a campaign in all ten provinces with musicians, dramatists and other artists across genres to help eradicate the scourge of drug addiction”, revealed Madake.