We can win war against drug abuse

THE persistent urge for dangerous drugs and illicit substances is hard to dump.

Once a person gets to this stage of addiction, it’s tough for rehabilitation to work.

This can only be addressed if people shun drugs and illicit substances from the very start.

However, the fight against drug and substance abuse can be won if there is a united effort to confront this menace.

We need more drug abuse survivors to be brave enough to share their stories to help others.

This is what we got from the 30-year-old Aspindale Park lad who confessed he quit drugs after realising he was wasting his life.

Like most blokes who end up getting addicted to drugs, he started with mbanje, which they smoked at high school.

He later went on to take Broncleer and crystal meth and he ended up failing to get things right in his studies.

At 30, Tinashe Mapurazuva can still turn around the corner and lead a better wife.

His bravery in sharing the story of his battle against drugs and substance abuse should encourage other survivors to follow suit.

Such touching confession can save future generations from indulging in drugs as they learn and hear from the horses’ mouth.

Research has also shown that peer pressure is one of the causes of drug abuse as was highlighted by Mupurazuva when he ended up taking drugs at a young age.

However, the effects of drug and substance abuse can be tragic when addicts fail to get help in time.

It can lead to mental breakdown, trauma and depression.

Drug abuse can also fuel violence.

It has also been noted that drug abuse blights people’s judgment, which can drive some to commit serious crimes like murder and sexual assault.

Drug and substance abuse has also fueled suicide, road accidents and even other serious health problems.

The abuse of drugs can affect children’s performances at school and even adults who will be pursuing studies at universities.

In Mupurazuva’s case, he failed to complete his Masters’ degree.

His chilling confession should serve as a warning to fellow students at universities to avoid stress-induced pressure, which can drive people to take drugs.

This issue should be addressed at the household level and kids should be empowered with the knowledge to combat drug abuse.

We have launched a new campaign dubbed War Against Drug and Substance Abuse (WADASA) as we join the country in the fight against this cancer.

We shall expose some drug cartels and those who are making money at the expense of the health of our nation.

We hope that the police will help us to ensure that this campaign bears fruit.

We also hope that some NGOs, who have dedicated themselves to fight drug and substance abuse, will also join us in this battle.

Together we can win this war.