Tag: drug and substance abuse

Sweden Injects US$1.9 Million towards Zimbabwe’s Anti-Drug Abuse Campaign

Michael Gwarisa

By Michael Gwarisa In a bid to support Zimbabwe’s efforts to curb the souring drug and substance abuse crises, the Embassy of Sweden in Zimbabwe has availed an amount to the tune of US$1.9 Million towards “The Strength is in You” anti-drug campaign. The US$1.9m grant for the Anti-Drugs Campaign is part of the Swedish Embassy’s overall efforts to address negative practices in Zimbabwe. The campaign is being implemented by the Population Solutions for Health (PSH), and is aimed at raising awareness on the dangers of drug use, provide support…

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Combating Drug and Substance Abuse among School Children: A Fight for Everyone

Olivia Ganya

By Olivia Ganya The scourge of drug and substance abuse plagues schools across our nation. Far too many promising young lives are being lost or derailed by the lure of illicit substances. However, there is hope – as a society, we can come together to protect our most vulnerable from facing this threat alone. Drug and substance abuse can have severe consequences on the physical, mental, and emotional well-being of school children. It can impede their academic performance, disrupt social relationships, and lead to long-term health problems. Additionally, substance abuse…

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Rehabilitation dilemma for Zim’s poor Drug and Substance Addicts

Michael Gwarisa

Zimbabwe is struggling to offer proper drug abuse rehabilitation services with majority of patients currently being admitted in psychiatric units in public health institutions which in most cases, are ill equipped to provide drug abuse rehabilitation services. By Michael Gwarisa In 2022, data from the Ministry of Health and Child Care indicated that 75 percent to 85 percent of bed occupancy in mental health institutions was due to substance use. Information gathered by this publication recently reveals that public health facilities are struggling to deal with the swelling numbers of…

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Dominican Convent Expels Eight Girls For Drug Use

Healthtimes

HARARE stationed Private Catholic girls high school, Dominican Convent  has expelled eight students for partaking in illicit drugs and substances at a recent trip in Nyanga. By Staff Reporter In a letter written to parents by the Head of Upper School at Domincan Convent, Sr Kudzai Mutsure, she said they had exhausted all disciplinary channels and expulsion was in the best interest of both the school and the affected pupils. I write on a sad note to notify you that the 8 girls we had put on suspension pending investigations…

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Drug and Substance Use Grows in Zim Prisons and Among Officers

Patricia Mashiri

PRISON and Correctional Services facilities have become hot-spots for drug and substance abuse with indications that both correctional officers and inmates were engaging in illicit use of substances and harmful drugs, a top Zimbabwe Prisons and and Correctional Service (ZPCS) health expert has warned.   By Patricia Mashiri To reduce the growing burden of drug and substance abuse in these institutions, the ZPCS, ZRP, Spotlight (Brotha 2 brotha initiative) and the National AIDS Council have come together to sensitize these communities on the effects of drug and substance use. Speaking to…

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Harare Residents Concerned Over Rise In Child Sex Work and Drug Abuse

Michael Gwarisa

MOST Harare suburbs are experiencing a surge in cases of drug and substance and child sex work which many residents believe is being driven by the prolonged time the kids have spent outside learning institutions due to lockdown restrictions. By Michael Gwarisa Following the prolonged closure of schools due to recurring lockdown restrictions since 2020, most children have found solace in harmful practices such as sexual experimentation and drug and substance abuse. The massive job losses due to retrenchments and closure of some businesses during the lockdown have also impacted…

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