The Sunday News
Brian Maregedze and Chipo Chigume
“I no longer have friends anymore,” said Solomon Chigume, who recently finished his Ordinary Levels in Harare. As we continued to talk, he expressed his dismay over how people whom he used to call friends were now into drug abuse. Instead, he is now a lonely young man since many of his age-mates are falling into the trap of drug abuse.
This conversation allowed us to contemplate on the broader challenges affecting the young people in Zimbabwe particularly those of school going age, school leavers, college students and the unemployed specifically. What steps are being taken by the society to deal with such social ills? It is our conviction that young people should stand up and take full responsibility for their lives. If the young people of today are to have a future, it’s in fighting and winning against drug and substance abuse.
Some of the substances generally abused by the youths include marijuana, cocaine, heroin, bronco, codeine as well as liquor including blue diamond and cane-spirit. Drug abuse has been defined as the excessive, maladaptive, or addictive use of drugs for non-medical purposes despite social, psychological, and physical problems that may arise from such use (Rogers, 2011). The Education Act of 1987 in Zimbabwe is instructive on this as it prohibits learners from taking alcoholic drinks or be found drunk both within and outside the school premises.
Unfortunately, these codes of practice are found lacking since some teachers may be drinking on the job and possibly do not report children who come to school drunk (Financial Gazette, 29 January 2015). Liquor outlets are prohibited by Zimbabwean law from selling alcoholic beverages and cigarettes to children under the age of 18 but this may not be enforced due to the negative economic situation prevailing in the country with the mushrooming of vendors selling cigarettes and alcohol in undesignated areas.
Trustworthy Organisation (T O), a Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO) based in Harare recently held the-No to drugs campaign. T O was established in 2017 and the organisation is involved in educating young people on the nature of drugs such as cocaine, weed, alcohol and synthetic drugs. According to the spokesperson of the organisation, the reason for the “no to drugs campaign” is resultant of witnessing the evils of drugs in our societies first-hand as well as marriages and relationships breaking down. Their messages are conveyed through various forms, including poems, plays, and books and giving away CDs promoting a drug free generation. The same organisation also provides “analysis and expertise, which serve as an early warning mechanisms, help monitor and implement international treaties on sustainable development goals.”
Zimbabwe Network for Economic and Social Transformation (Zinest)- Stop Drug Abuse Zimbabwe belongs to this new breed of well-focused organisations confronting the scourge of drug abuse among young people in Zimbabwe. Zinest has previously hosted events with musicians invited to encourage the youths through music in the fight against drug and substance abuse. This is a critical step given the centrality of music in shaping popular culture. Many artistes are role models to the youths and they emulate everything they do thereby influencing their choices in life. In any society whenever humans come together for any reason be it weddings, prayer sessions, church or even romantic dinner music is always present, hence, one should never undermine the power of music.
Zimdancehall has its antecedence in Jamaican dancehall music. Kufakurinani and Mwatwara (2017) concur that just like Jamaican dancehall, Zimdancehall has been greatly influenced and associated with violence, substance abuse, gender insensitivity and some social ills in the society as a whole. The same scholars citing Templeman (2014), note that 60% of listeners in Zimbabwe listen to Zimdancehall while most of them are the youths. In the same study, it is stressed that Zimdancehall should utilise its popularity to promote peace in society, denounce immorality and shun the abuse of drugs. In the same vein, the promotion of healthy habits and or healthy living remains a gap to be filled.
Nonetheless, selected Zimdancehall songs have been instrumental in shaping positive behaviour in society. Killer T’s songs have been selectively analysed deploying Afrocentricity as an analytical entry point. Chigume (2018). It’s time for a corrective stance for Zimdancehall if the youths are to have a bright future.
Long-term use of substances can also lead to impulsive behaviour and poor judgement. Alcohol abuse contributes to risky sexual behaviour, increasing the chances of contracting HIV and other sexually transmitted diseases, as well as neurological disorders and chronic memory disorders. Opioids, such as morphine and heroin, can result in accidental overdose. And sometimes, drug abuse can actually increase a user’s risk of developing a mental disorder. A number of mental disorder cases in Zimbabwe, although yet to be fully studied, indicate clear signs of being products of substance abuse.
In some instances, the buttons of spirituality particularly demon possession and witchcraft are activated at the expense of responsible behaviour. The young people of today if not well nurtured into responsible adults, the future is bleak. The wise-ones sadly say, “. . . potential is buried in cemeteries due to mortality rates borne out of drug abuse.” Its high time society takes full responsibility, lest the young wallow in the absurdity of drug and substance abuse.
All in all, a public health approach to the scourge of drug and substance abuse may play a pivotal role in addressing the plight of the youths. This, in a way, help in preparing for the future of the young people. As such, the Government should not criminalise but rather treat it as a health and social problem under these circumstances.
