By Michael Gwaris
Contrary to the common belief that drug and substance abuse primarily affects unemployed youth and adolescents, recent data reveals that Zimbabwe’s working class faces a similarly high incidence of substance use. According to national data, males represent the majority of mental health cases linked to drug and substance use, underscoring the severe impact on mental health among this demographic.
You find that the working class in Zimbabwe also has a high usage of illicit drugs and substances. Adolescents have a 37 percent rate of drug and substance use, while the working class has a 36 percent rate,” explained Mr. Fabion Musoro, Mental Health Manager at the Ministry of Health and Child Care (MoHCC).
Musoro shared these insights with journalists during a media sensitization meeting on HIV reporting for community radio stations, organized by the National AIDS Council (NAC).
Zimbabwe’s National Drug Masterplan estimates that around 3 percent of the adult population—approximately 450,000 people—suffer from either drug or alcohol use disorders (WHO). Alcohol and substance use disorders are among the top three concerns presented in mental health services across all ten provinces. Data also indicates that over 40 percent of young people regularly consume alcohol, while 15 percent report regular cannabis use. Alarmingly, substance use among young Zimbabweans often begins as early as age 12. Commonly abused substances in the country include alcohol (from both licensed and unlicensed brews), tobacco, cannabis, and certain controlled medications, such as codeine-containing cough syrups and benzodiazepines.
Mr. Musoro highlighted the significant burden on men, noting that they constitute the majority of admissions to mental health facilities for substance-related issues. “Men, especially in the African context, are expected to internalize their challenges, leading to poor psychosocial lifestyles and coping mechanisms,” he stated. “Some mental health issues, like paranoid schizophrenia with narcissistic traits, are more common among men because of societal pressures.”
He also pointed out that men often exhibit poorer health-seeking behaviors compared to women, with many turning to drugs and substances as a form of escape.
Substance abuse among the working class is a global issue, with many workers turning to drugs and alcohol to cope with stress, economic hardships, and job instability. In developing nations, long working hours and economic strain can push workers towards substance use as a coping mechanism. In more developed countries, workplace pressures and expectations of constant productivity also contribute to this trend. Studies reveal that industries with high physical demands or irregular hours, like construction and hospitality, often see higher rates of substance use. Globally, alcohol, cannabis, opioids, and stimulants are among the most commonly misused substances among the working class.
Harm reduction strategies:
1. Needle and Syringe Programs (NSP): Also referred to as syringe services programs (SSP) or needle-syringe programs (NSP), these are community-based programs that offer free sterile needles and syringes. The syringe/needle exchange program (NEP) is a social service that allows people who inject drugs (PWID) to obtain hypodermic needles and syringes at little or no cost. It operates on a philosophy of harm reduction that seeks to lower the risks associated with diseases like HIV, viral hepatitis, and other blood-borne infections.
2. Naloxone Overdose Reversal: Naloxone is a medication designed to rapidly reverse opioid overdose. It is an opioid antagonist that binds to opioid receptors, reversing and blocking the effects of opioids. This medication can quickly restore normal breathing in someone experiencing an overdose from opioids, such as heroin or prescription pain medications. Families with members using opioids may consider keeping naloxone at home for emergencies.
3. Opioid Substitution Therapy (OST): OST involves administering a prescribed daily dosage of opioid medications with long-lasting effects to clients with opioid dependence, under medical supervision and supported by psychosocial interventions.
4. Psychosocial Interventions: These include counseling, motivational interviewing, cognitive-behavioral therapy, case management, group and family therapy, and relapse prevention. These interventions support individuals attempting to manage and overcome drug use problems, particularly for stimulant drugs like cocaine and amphetamines.
