Clive Dube & John Ndlovu
Lack of fortitude and the desire for escapism is forcing youths to turn to drugs, and gangsterism as a driving force.
Nowadays drugs and substance abuse is one of the most prevalent pandemic affecting Zimbabwe and other countries worldwide.
In Zimbabwe, the spiraling major issue is the is high rate of unemployment which has forced many students to drop out of school as their parents fail to pay for school fees.
The computer age society is ever preaching false deeds and praises the individuals who abuse alcohol, drugs and other substances by labeling them “cool”. This labeling theory makes one try to live up to that reputation by continuously engaging in drug abuse.
Cannabis / Marijuana is the most preferred drug by the youths in Zimbabwe.
It is cheap and easily accessible.
The police have slumbered in their efforts of curbing the abuse of Cannabis.
Actually, some members of the Zimbabwe Republic Police abuse the drug.
Many young people of today’s generation take to drugs through idolising those that they look up to.
In the international scene, the green plant’s heavy smokers include Calvin Cordozar Broadus Jr populary known as Snoop Dogg, Wiz Khalifa who endorses cannabis products, Comedian Dave Chappelle, Willie Nelson. The individuals mentioned above have made getting stoned a cool lifestyle unlike the famous Bob Marley, who saw cannabis as the holy plant and never used it recreationally but for religious beliefs (Rastafarian).
As early as 6 am in the morning, a smoke is seen in every corner of Bulawayo townships and you might think a house or a bush is burning, but no it is a 15 year old boy with his gang puffing on Marijauana. This issue of drug and substance abuse, and school gangsterism has been imminent. As such, the students have taken upon themselves to fight this debacle which saturates the harmony lifestyle, precipitates the spike in crime rate on society, affect the physical and mental well-being of the abuser.
Last week, Students from Nketa High school, Emganwini High School and Nkulumane High school and Maranatha gathered at Nketa 6 Hall to educate each another on the dangers associated with recreational drugs and hooliganism.
“Local Schools are experiencing gangster fights and drug abuse, which has seen a lot of students being hurt. When I say students l am including the innocent who are focused on books and these individuals are the more bullied as they are considered to be uncool. Some of them have been made to run long distances for dear life being chased by other students.” Said Thando Moyo, who is one of the organisers of the campaign and Nketa High School Head-boy.
“…At this other time, we (Nketa High School) had a child who suffered a head injury who almost went in to coma when taken to the hospital…this is why we came up with this initiative to try and educate the students that they should report anything that they see so that we can try and curb this problem of gangsterism.” He added.
Thando further reiterated that he has seen his peers extremely abusing drugs because they are not occupied, they have a lot of ample time in their hands.
“If various activities are made available to external students who are no longer coming to school, we won’t have some youths sitting on bridges…if you are going to have an idle mind the devil is going to occupy you and school gangsterism is two sided, you beat a child, they die and then you go to Khami maximum prison. The other possible outcome is you are going to be killed and when you are killed, you go six feet under. What is the purpose of your existence if you are going to die so early?”
In schools, random drug tests should be conducted since the puberty stage is the “experimental stage” for teenagers and some experiments are dangerous. By making sure the teenager’s don’t resort to alcohol and drugs at a tender age can come a long way in curbing addiction. Students should also be encouraged to participate in extra curriculum activities in school.
“If students partake and join clubs (debate, public speaking, soccer, drama) they would be molded in the right track. Those who are not into these things, they are the one’s who end up spearheading gangsterism.” Said Nketa High School Development Committee Chairman Joseph Ndlovu.
In an interview with Zim GBC News, one student from Emganwini High School by the name of Rossy Muusha said,
“As the youth, we must have activities that we can do which will keep us busy especially now that we are going for the festive season. Clubs will be filled with youths, people will start smoking just because now schools are closed and have nothing to do.”
Tanyaradzo Chihaba, a student from Nkulumane High school elucidated on the impacts of drugs and gangsterism and encouraged youths to step up and bring in productive projects which would hinder youths from engaging in the later which have toxic impacts on youths in his echoes as he said.
“Drugs and gangsterism have a negative impact in our lives. Instead of smoking, lets shape our future and not remain silent if you become a victim of gangsterism.”
In as much as one can be blamed for their toxic behavior and drug addiction, there is need for us to first hearken the road of such individuals because people have different ways of dealing with bad experiences. Some use drugs as a way of escapism and to numb the pain and make one forget about all the contrarious things happening in their lives. But no-matter how much one tries to out run their troubles, they will always find a way to catch up.
As a society let us believe in the youth and let them know they are good enough and worthy. It might just be what they want to hear.
Doors of opportunities should be opened for everyone to chase their dreams, which will be of paramount significance in driving youths off the streets curbing idleness which will occupy their minds with positive thoughts of achieving their goals and remembering their forlornest dreams can still be the epigraph of their future.