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Zimbabwe’s drug, alcohol abuse problem under Covid-19

Published

4 years ago

August 14, 2021

BY ZIMFACT

Drug and alcohol abuse among Zimbabwean youth is rising, according to government and public health experts who say this increase has coincided with measures aimed at controlling the spread of Covid-19.

The World Health Organisation (WHO), the Zimbabwe government and some civic society organisations have launched public awareness programmes on the problem, worsening under national lockdowns, restrictions on travel and public gatherings, closure of schools and a ban on sports activities.

The following are some of the facts and findings around alcohol and drug abuse:

· A Zimbabwe National Drug Masterplan which the government unveiled in April this year identifies alcohol and drug abuse as one of the top causes of mental health problems in all the country’s 10 provinces.

· Zimbabwe has the highest number of 15 to 19-year-olds in Africa who engage in heavy “episodic drinking”, at 70.7 % among males and 55.5 % among females, according to a World Health Organisation (WHO) report entitled “Mental health among young people in the African Region.”

WHO defines heavy episodic drinking as the consumption of at least 60 grammes or more of alcohol on at least one occasion in 30 days, which is six pints at a single sitting.

The Harare-based World Health Organisation (WHO) regional advisor on mental health and substance abuse, Florence Kamayonza, warned that heavy drinking needs to be checked to help manage the dangers of rising mental health and alcohol use disorders.

Launched the Special Initiative on Mental Health on July 21, Health and Child Care minister, Vice President Constantine Chiwenga, warned that Zimbabwe faced the risk of a decline in the quality of life of the youth from the impact of alcohol and drug abuse.

He said “a large proportion of people” were hooked on alcohol and substances like cocaine and crystal meth.

A global survey by the International Society of Addiction Medicines (ISAM) says that many countries are struggling with rising numbers of people abusing drugs as Covid-19 continues to ravage economies, decimate livelihoods and badly alter lifestyles.

Under Covid-19, Zimbabwe has witnessed a sharp rise in the abuse of methamphetamine, a highly addictive stimulant commonly known in the country as “crystal meth” or “ mutoriro”, which affects the nervous system and generally leaves addicts in a wooden state of stupor.

In its 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 poor and disadvantaged people engage in harmful patterns of drug use, suffer drug use disorders and turn to illicit activities linked to drugs – either production or transport.”

With governments and parents less able to respond to problem, strong drug abuse cultures are likely to grow strong roots in communities, according to the UN Office on Drugs and Crime report.

In the community

Hwange police seek public’s help in locating missing teen

Published

1 week ago

May 15, 2025

VicFallsLive

BY STAFF REPORTER

The Hwange police are urgently seeking the public’s assistance in locating 16-year-old Latoya Lisa Munkuli, who went missing on May 7, this month.

Latoya, a dark-complexioned female juvenile, was last seen leaving her residence in Hwange around 4 pm.

She was wearing a distinctive outfit consisting of green trousers and a white T-shirt, and carried a black satchel. She stands approximately 1.6 meters tall.

Inspector Glory Banda of the Hwange police is leading the investigation and urges anyone with information about Latoya’s whereabouts to come forward.

If you have any information about Latoya’s disappearance, please contact Inspector Banda on 0785961747 or 0771256607.

National

Coal train in flames: NRZ locomotive damaged in fire incident

Published

1 month ago

April 16, 2025

VicFallsLive

BY WANDILE TSHUMA

A National Railways of Zimbabwe (NRZ) locomotive suffered significant damage after catching fire while transporting export coal to Zambi. The incident occurred between Kalala and Matetsi sidings, resulting in the explosion of the locomotive’s fuel tanks.

According to the NRZ press statement on Monday, “A National Railways of Zimbabwe locomotive suffered some damages after it caught fire this afternoon while transporting export coal to Zambia.” Fortunately, the crew members on board managed to escape unharmed.

The NRZ responded swiftly to the incident, dispatching a rescue train with crews to the site. The team successfully extinguished the fire, preventing further damage. However, the locomotive itself sustained considerable damage.

The cause of the fire is yet to be determined, with investigations currently underway. “Investigations are already underway to establish the cause of the fire and the amount of damage to the locomotive,” the NRZ statement read.

In the community

Human-wildlife conflict claims 18 lives in Zimbabwe’s first quarter

Published

1 month ago

April 16, 2025

VicFallsLive

BY NOKUTHABA DLAMINI

The Zimbabwe Parks and Wildlife Management Authority (ZimParks) has reported a disturbing trend of human-wildlife conflict in the country’s first quarter of 2025. According to the authority, 18 people have lost their lives, and 32 others have been injured in encounters with wildlife.

ZimParks spokesperson Tinashe Farawo revealed that the authority received 579 cases of human-wildlife conflict, which they managed to respond to promptly. The incidents have also resulted in significant livestock losses, with at least 53 cattle and 85 goats killed by wildlife.

The districts most affected by these incidents include Binga, Hwange, Kariba, Chiredzi, Hurungwe, Nyaminyami, and Mbire. ZimParks has been working tirelessly to raise awareness about wildlife behaviors and effective preventive measures in these areas.

In response to the crisis, ZimParks has translocated 129 animals back into protected areas and eliminated 158 animals deemed problematic.

“We encourage communities to continue reporting incidents to ZimParks Problem Animal Control numbers and local leadership, such as Councillors, Traditional Leaders, and Rural District Council Authorities, to ensure that we preserve lives,” Farawo urged.

The significant increase in livestock losses, with cattle deaths rising from 18 to 53 and goat deaths from 21 to 85 compared to the same period in 2024, highlights the growing challenge of human-wildlife conflict in Zimbabwe.

ZimParks’ efforts to mitigate the conflict include community initiatives to educate people on managing wildlife encounters effectively.