By Dalphine Tagwireyi
Zimbabwe is currently witnessing a surge in drug and substance abuse among young people — and rehabilitation is not a solution because there are few facilities on offer.
The country has two main government mental institutions: Ingutsheni Hospital in Bulawayo and Parirenyatwa Annex Centre in Harare, both of which have already admitted the maximum number of drug and substance users.
Youths under the age of 35 make up 67% of Zimbabwe’s population and according to a study by the University of Malaysia, approximately 57% of the country’s population is involved in drug abuse.
Speaking to Scrolla.Africa, 22-year-old crystal-meth user Munyadzi Chisango from Harare said that he started smoking marijuana when he was 15.
“After turning 16, I was introduced to inhaling glue which made me sick for two weeks but I persisted as it would get me high and I would find an escape. I now smoke hard drugs which instantly take me out,” he said.
Chisango said he has been to Ingutsheni Hospital, but after rehab he met up with a crowd that introduced him to crystal meth, which is currently his drug of choice.
Psychiatrist Dr Emmanuel Manyepero said that drugs like crystal meth are psychoactive and affect the brain, causing changes in thoughts, mood and behaviour.
Parent Joseph Mhuru said that he is worried about the introduction of drugs to minors in the form of fancy smoking gadgets such as vaping and hubbly bubbly.
“Our kids are being introduced to drug and substance abuse by people who are packaging the hazardous act with fancy names at a very young age and we need to come together and nip it in the bud before the younger generation perishes,” he said.
Professor Dexter Tagwireyi, a pharmacist and toxicologist, told Scrolla.Africa that most vapes contain nicotine; and there is also a danger of brain damage, mouth or gum disease and heart disease developing in users.
Seventeen youths from Bulawayo were admitted to Ingutsheni Hospital after overdosing on crystal meth and eight girls from Dominican Convent High school in Harare were expelled for using drugs in January.
Pictured above: A drug user injecting crystal meth
Picture source: Tinotenda Samkange
