Milicent Chasinda
THE police teamed up with Cool Splash in the fight against drugs and substance abuse which has ravaged the country’s youths.
Speaking during an anti-drugs campaign at Matapi grounds in Mbare yesterday, Harare provincial police spokesperson, Inspector Luckmore Chakanza, said that their aim was to educate youths in Matapi, Mbare musika and Stordart.
“As Harare province, we are targeting Mbare youths because of the high rate of youths who are abusing drugs.
However, this will continue to be an ongoing programme with Mabvuku and Chitungwiza next,” he said.
Cool Splash marketing manager, Takunda Tapfuma, said they have a passion for Mbare residents, hence their help in the fight against drug abuse in the suburb.
“Mbare is one of the worst areas affected by drugs. So, we have decided to start with Mbare today together with ZRP tisina language yekuvatyisidzira asi kuti language yawanonzwisisa.
“We decided to host their favourite artist, Mr Mbare, as a way of spreading the effects of substance and drug abuse.
“It’s not just about education and awareness, but we need tough measures to deter people from getting involved in drugs.
“We need to address the root causes of drug abuse, which include poverty, unemployment and lack of recreational activities for young people,” said Tapfuma.
A drug survivor, who identified herself as Alice, said there was a base where they were sexually abused.
“We had no choice and were forced to sleep with older guys. We were afraid to report to the police because they told us we would be arrested because we were drug addicts,” said Alice.
A Matapi resident said there was a need for policy makers and law enforcers to put in place tough measures against those who smuggle, distribute, sell and consume drugs.
The campaign is set to continue across different communities in Harare and other parts of Zimbabwe, with the aim of reducing drug abuse and its negative effects on society.