Harare Residents Call for Urgent Action on Drug Ab...

Harare Residents Call for Urgent Action on Drug Abuse Crisis

Oscar J Jeke - Zim Now Reporter

The Combined Harare Residents Association has called for immediate government and community action to combat rising drug abuse among youth in high-density suburbs, warning that the problem has become a “ticking time bomb” threatening the city’s future.

In a statement released on the International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking, CHRA said it was deeply alarmed by the scale and accessibility of dangerous substances in communities like Kuwadzana and Mufakose. The association attributed the growing crisis to high unemployment, poverty, and a lack of meaningful youth engagement, which has left many vulnerable to peer pressure and substance dependency.

“Many youths… easily access drugs as the majority are unemployed and many struggle to get jobs and opportunities,” the statement read. “The drug abuse scourge is a ticking time bomb that threatens the future of youths.”

Citing the Constitution of Zimbabwe, particularly Section 20, which mandates the state to provide education, training, and opportunities for association for youths, CHRA urged authorities to prioritize policies and programs targeting prevention and rehabilitation.

Zimbabwean law already criminalizes unlawful drug possession and trafficking under Chapter 9:23 of the Criminal Law Code and Chapter 15:02 of the Dangerous Drugs Act. These laws also prohibit the unlicensed cultivation and distribution of controlled substances and provide stiff penalties for supplying drugs to minors.

However, CHRA said enforcement alone was not enough and outlined an action plan urging the City of Harare, government agencies, and stakeholders to develop and fund youth-led projects offering alternatives to drug abuse, promote access to treatment, counselling, and social support services, rehabilitate and build recreational facilities for youth, involve youth in leadership and decision-making processes, strengthen the enforcement of laws against trafficking and substance abuse, and launch public education campaigns to raise awareness of the dangers of drug abuse.

CHRA Chairperson David Pasipanodya emphasized that collaborative action is critical to safeguarding the future of Harare’s youth. “We must create an environment that supports the well-being and dignity of our youths in accordance with the laws and policies of Zimbabwe,” he said.

Meanwhile, the government has moved with urgency under its Supply Reduction Pillar. The Criminal Investigations Department received five surveillance drones from the Ministry of Local Government and Public Works to monitor border posts believed to be key smuggling points. A total of 206 raids were carried out across the country.

As part of a “naming and shaming” campaign, 41 suspected drug kingpins were publicly identified, with many sentenced to between 12 months and 15 years in prison.

In the fight against illegal alcohol sales, the Liquor Licensing Board inspected 461 outlets, finding 32 unlicensed premises and fining each US$40. Authorities say the crackdown is being matched by prevention and empowerment efforts, particularly targeting the youth.

The Ministry of Youth Empowerment, Development and Vocational Training reported reaching over 212,000 young people through awareness, financial literacy, and entrepreneurship training. Key projects included the Mbire Goat Project, fish farming schemes, the Presidential Youth Empowerment Scheme, Empower Bank, and the Tonganyika Trust, benefiting over 17,000 youths.

“Government is fully aware that empowerment programmes play a pivotal role in transforming young citizens to be productive and avoid the trap of drug and substance abuse,” Information Minister Jenfan Muswere said during the post-Cabinet briefing.

Anti-drug campaigns have been rolled out by various ministries. The Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education reached more than 1 million pupils, the Ministry of Women Affairs engaged over 24,000 youths, and 305 young people benefited from the Ministry of Agriculture’s Green Jobs initiative.