The Sunday Mail
Tinovimbanashe Nyamukapa
LOCAL youths are carrying out dangerous experiments, most of which have adverse effects on their physical and mental well-being.
Many end up failing in their studies.
The most common challenge is that of drug and substance abuse.
This is not only affecting the youngsters in their schoolwork but it is also destroying the moral fabric within societies.
However, the Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) has launched a programme in which they are engaging learners in schools, as they conduct drug and substance abuse awareness campaigns.
On May 29, the ZRP Mutoko dispatched two officers, namely, Sergeant Taonashe Zhou and Constable Privilege Chikosha to talk to learners about the effects of drugs.
The two-hour interactive session was an eye-opener.
The discussion highlighted the various methods of drug and substance abuse.
It also revealed the most common types of drugs in the country, namely, marijuana and crystal meth (mutoriro).
Glue was also cited as a dangerous substance.
Of late, learners, particularly those in boarding schools, have devised other methods of getting high. For instance, they are taking stuff produced from soap.
It has terrible side effects. It causes addiction, physical body damage, mental health problems, deviant behaviour and shorter life expectancy.
This is sad considering the future leaders and parents are today’s youths. This leaves one wondering what will become of this country in coming years if the youths do not abstain from these harmful substances. My plea to fellow young Zimbabweans is for them to stop drug and substance abuse so that they can have a brighter future.
Tinovimbanashe Nyamukapa is a Form Three learner at Munashe Private High School in Mutoko.
