Rural Roots, Broken Lives: Drugs Cast Shadow Over Next Generation

By Ilyana Sithole

The recent arrest of three adults, Nokutenda Manana (18), Progress Sengure (20), and Humidity Chipenga (25), in Mutidzawanda Village, Chakohwa, Chimanimani, on illegal possession of harmful drugs has painted a bleak picture of the deepening drug and substance abuse crisis that is engulfing our communities. The fact that crystal meth, dagga, and broncleer syrup were recovered from these youths, who should be on the verge of building their futures, is a stark reminder of how badly this epidemic is impacting our youth.

On 22/03/25, Police in Manicaland acted on the received information and arrested Nokutenda Manana (18), Progress Sengure (20) and Humidity Chipenga (25) for unlawful possession of drugs at Mutidzawanda Village, Chakohwa, Chimanimani. Police recovered several sachets of crystal meth, 177 sachets of dagga and bottles of broncleer syrup from the suspects.

Zimbabwe Republic Police update

Regarded as a young adults, an 18 year old child should be pursuing their dreams, whether education, learning a trade, or a career. Instead, we are discovering them in the drug addiction cycle, their potential wasted, and their lives destroyed. The fact that this is happening in rural areas where family values still prevail is cause for serious concern. Are there no vocational schools or local development programs which could provide such youth with alternatives? Absence of such opportunities, and the temptation of easy money and flight from reality, provides fertile soil for drug abuse and drug trade.

The future consequences are bleak. If children are already engaged in such crippling activities, what survival chances are left for newborn babies? How do we guarantee our children a secure and safe future when the foundation of our society is being destroyed by the impact of drugs? It is not only a police issue; it is a social crisis that has to be treated with a holistic and multi-faceted approach.

Saving Our Children: Everybody’s Business

Preventing children from using drugs needs a combined effort from all sections of society. The following are some key steps:

* Awareness and Education: Early intervention is the key. Effective drug education programs need to be initiated in schools and communities with a focus on the risks of drug abuse and healthy coping strategies. Resources permitting let us take these children in the streets to see how drugs have destroyed the youth who are are now homeless and have their future completely robbed.

* Parental Involvement: Parents are an important part of their child’s life. Open communication, strong family ties, and firm leadership can be a protective environment against drug exposure.

* Community Support: Healthy community networks can support and offer resources to vulnerable youth. Community groups, religious institutions, and local leaders need to unite and deliver safe havens and positive activities for youth.

* Access to Opportunities: Investment in vocational training, skills development, and employment generation schemes can give young people more worthwhile alternatives for drug behavior.

* Law Enforcement and Rehabilitation: While law enforcement is unavoidable in the task of controlling drug traffic, rehabilitation and reintegration programs must be adopted to assist individuals addicted.

* Mental Health Care: In most cases, drug addiction accompanies deeper mental issues. Mental health treatment and counseling must be accessed in order to address these foundation problems.

The war against substance and drug abuse must be fought together. We must take action now to save the future of our children and create a drug-free country. Only by having a comprehensive and collective strategy will we be able to stem this tide and build a better tomorrow for our grandchildren and children.