YOUTHS in Mashonaland West on Saturday converged at the Kadoma Showgrounds to take a stand against drug and substance abuse through dynamic sports and awareness activities.
The campaign, organised by Youth in Politics, a youth-led organisation empowering young individuals as ambassadors of peace in Zimbabwe, brought together participants from primary and secondary schools across the region.
Kadoma, renowned for its gold production, is grappling with mounting challenges, particularly in densely populated neighbourhoods like Rimuka and Weverly, where the alarming increase in drug use cannot be ignored.
Ward 12 Councillor, Cde Timothy Chizuzu, voiced his concerns about this issue, highlighting its link to rising crime rates and alarming trends in early marriages.
He applauded Youth in Politics for choosing Kadoma as the venue for the provincial awareness games.
"Drug and substance abuse has escalated into a national crisis, and it is our collective responsibility to combat it," he said.
"Kadoma, like many towns, must confront the trafficking and use of drugs and other illicit substances. We urge community members to share any information regarding drug dealers," he said.
Cde Chizuzu also hailed President Emmerson Mnangagwa for establishing a high-level committee aimed at tackling this crisis and advocated stricter, mandatory penalties for drug dealers, akin to those faced by stock thieves.
Ms Vivian Maseko, the national president of Youth in Politics, emphasised that drug abuse significantly exacerbates the economic hardships encountered by young people.
"After President Mnangagwa's declaration that drug and substance abuse is spiralling out of control in our country, we recognise that inaction jeopardises our future," she said.
Ms Maseko underlined that the youth are the cornerstone of Zimbabwe's economic and political legacy, urging their unity to tackle the pervasive threat, which drains resources through rehabilitation costs and undermines community productivity.
To bolster their cause, Youth in Politics donated uniforms and sports equipment to local teams that participated in the awareness tournament, showcasing soccer, netball, and volleyball events.
Mashonaland West Provincial Affairs and Devolution Minister Marian Chombo called on law enforcement agencies to ramp up their surveillance and take decisive action against drug cartels lurking in local neighbourhoods.
She urged the business community to rally behind both government and private initiatives in this crucial fight.
"The business sector is encouraged to lend support to diverse initiatives spearheaded by both the government and private organisations, as we need to establish sufficient rehabilitation centres that will aid those affected by drug abuse in their recovery," she said.
Law enforcement agents were supposed to intensify efforts to address hotspots where drugs were prevalent, as the locations were often leading young people to commit crimes, such as theft, as a way to sustain their addictions.