23 February 2022
Lindie Dube
Harare – The Zimbabwean Youths from the four corners of the country celebrated National youth day at Robert Gabriel Mugabe Square by denouncing the abuse of dangerous drugs.
Drugs and substance abuse are robbing them of their future.
Many were photographed carrying banners with different messages denouncing drug abuse.
Some of the messages read,
“Siya Zvinodhaka”, “Down with Guka”.
Sending the message wide and clear Zimdance Hall star Enzo Ishall churned a mix of his songs with messages against drug abuse.
Enzo simply spread the “No to Drugs” message over and over again in his performance.
Abuse of the dangerous drug called Crystal Methamphetamine, commonly known as “mutoriro or guka” by the youth has reached alarming levels in the country especially amongst the ghetto youths.
The National Youth Day was previously held under the theme 21st February Movement under the rule of the former and late President, Robert Mugabe. This was in commemoration of his date of birth.
The day was changed to National Youth Day by President Mnangagwa but still being held on the day Mugabe was born. Mnangagwa proclaimed the day a Holiday in honor of his predecessor.
This year’s celebratuons were held under the theme “Towards Achieving Vision 2030: Alleviate substance and drug abuse by the youth”.
Drug and substance amongst the youths, especially from the ghetto is attributed to redundancy. Many youths are unemployed as there is no industry to absorb school leavers and graduates.
The use of drugs has changed the lives of many for the worst, many link it with the trembling economy in the country.
It has been said Authorities are racing to review the Dangerous Drug Act which will come with stiffer penalties for offender.
In one of the Post Cabinet Briefings Minister of Labour and Social Welfare, the Chairperson of the lnter- ministerial Taskforce on Drugs, Professor Paul Mavima said;
“The task force has made several recommendations including stiffer penalties for offenders. Those who provide our youth with drugs should rot in jail”.
Young people in Zimbabwe have been identified as the most vulnerable section of the population, they see drugs as an escape from life’s troubles and a way of loosening up.
President Emmerson Mnangagwa the guest of honour at the celebration of National youth day said;
“Government has put in place the lnter-Ministerial Committee on Drug and Substance Abuse. A National Drug Abuse Fund has been established in the 2022 National Budget, 2022 must see our nation eliminate drug and substance abuse”