BY NOKUTHABA DLAMINI
The scourge of drugs and substance abuse has taken a toll on the communities of Hwange West Constituency, with villagers expressing their deep-seated concerns over the issue.
The problem has become so rampant that it has affected not only the youth but also adults and the elderly.
A meeting held on Friday last week, organized by Member of Parliament Vusumuzi Moyo, provided a platform for the villagers to air their grievances. The meeting was attended by various stakeholders, including village heads, councillors, and concerned citizens.
Laureen Mlambo from BH10 village spoke out, saying, “We have seen people loitering around and selling drugs freely, but when we report, we become scared because they are connected to some police officers. We want you, as our MP, to address these issues so that our community becomes safe for our children.”
Joseph Dube, village head of BH25, emphasized the gravity of the problem, stating, “Drugs and substance abuse are a huge problem in our communities. Adults and elderly people are engaging in this, and our villages need to be sanitized. It’s puzzling that these drugs are being sold inside shops, and this needs to be tackled before it’s too late.”
Councillor for Ward 3, Given Moyo, added, “The communities are suffering, and controlling it has become harder. We need to find solutions to address this issue.”
The concerns raised by the villagers are not isolated, as Zimbabwe faces a growing problem of substance abuse, particularly among unemployed youth.
Officials have reported an increase in arrests, with close to 2 400 people taken into custody so far in 2024.
Economic difficulties are hampering efforts to curb the problem, but the government has approved a review of fines and imprisonment for businesses convicted of selling illicit drugs.
In addition to the issue of drugs and substance abuse, the villagers also expressed concerns over the lack of maternal clinics, registry offices, advanced agricultural machinery, and projects for farming and fish.
They also appealed for children in Early Child Development to be taught in their native languages and for nearby schools to be built to reduce long walking distances.
The MP, Vusumuzi Moyo, assured the villagers that their concerns would be addressed and that he would engage the relevant authorities to find solutions to the problems facing the community.