Church joins anti-drug, substance abuse campaign
THE Roman Catholic Church has joined the Government in fighting drug and substance abuse, which has ruined the lives of thousands of people across the country.
The church held a march in Marondera last Saturday to announce their dedication to eliminating drug and substance abuse, starting at the church in Cherutombo suburb, then passing through Nyameni business centre where a large gathering was addressed by the police as well as officials from the Ministry of Health and Child Care.
The march proceeded to the bus rank in the central business district of Marondera and where again a public address was made before finally gathering at the church located in the leafy Paradise Park suburb.
People from all walks of life and of various age groups joined in the march.
The Zimbabwe Republic Police also joined the cause and took the platform to educate the public on the effects of drug and substance abuse.
In an interview with The Herald on the sidelines of the event, Sister Emaculata Moyo from the Roman Catholic Church said the church cannot stand aside and watch, especially youths, being robbed of their future.
“As Marondera Deanery, we are carrying out an anti-drug and substance abuse awareness campaign in Marondera. What caused us to do this programme is because we are witnessing the deadly effects of drug and substance abuse. Our children who are involved in this are now engaged in criminal activities and the church is not spared. It is also affected so we cannot fold our hands and watch while our children are becoming wild.
“I am also a registered nurse and I always deal with people who visit the hospital after abusing drugs and substances. It’s so sad. We are now praying to God to intervene. So we also decided to do this campaign to educate people on the dangers associated with drug and substance abuse.
“To our youth, I say stop abusing drugs and substances henceforth. Abusing drugs does not pay at all, it destroys your future. So I want to thank our Bishop for allowing us to do this campaign and we are hopeful that it will bring a positive change in the communities,” she said.
Police spokesperson for Mashonaland East Province Inspector Simon Chazovachiyi appealed to the public to come forward and report those who sell illicit drugs so that they can be brought to book.
He said the police will continue to partner with organisations in the fight against drugs and substance abuse.
“Today the Zimbabwe Republic Police has partnered with the Roman Catholic church as well as the Ministry of Health and Child Care to campaign against drug and substance abuse. We want to encourage the youths to desist from drug and substance abuse. We are also arresting those who are dealing in prohibited drugs.
“We appeal to the public to come forward and report all illicit drug dealers so that we can arrest them,” he said.