Community tackles drug, substance abuse

A SEMINAR to raise awareness on drug and substance abuse was recently held at Chitekwe Hall in Mutoko.

The highly subscribed event was organised by the Mutoko-based Youth Initiative Organisation.

Drug abuse has become a serious challenge, especially among the youth. If not addressed, the scourge threatens to wipe out a generation.

Most young people appear to be losing focus due to alcoholism and drug abuse, an issue the seminar tried to address.

The scourge is spreading faster than a veld fire and has had serious repercussions on our norms and values as a country.

Both boys and girls at different learning institutions need to be educated on the dangers of delinquent behaviour. They urgently need help.

The gesture by the Youth Initiative Organisation — bringing together learners, teachers, parents, Government officials, National Aids Council members and politicians, among other stakeholders, to discuss this crucial topic — is highly commendable.

Among the schools that took part in the event are Munashe High, Nyamuzuwe High, Mutoko High, All Souls High and Mutoko Central High.

Learners were divided into three groups that focused on different issues pertaining to causes of drug and substance abuse, as well as their impact on the personal, community, family and national levels.

Well-thought-out feedback from each group was presented. It was generally agreed that drugs and substances have a negative

Some of the learners who attended the drug and substance abuse awareness seminar in Mutoko

impact on learners.

The effects were said to be both physical and psychological.

It was also noted that most people who abuse drugs are cutting their lives short due to health complications that arise as a result of engaging in such illegal and unhealthy practices

The Ministry of Youth Empowerment,

Development and Vocational Training team was led by Ms Martha Bota, who is the projects officer for Mutoko district.

The organisers of the event, led by their director Mr Philip Muyengwa, were happy with the turnout and smooth flow of the programme. They plan to hold similar events in future.

After all was said and done, lunch was provided is a bleak mid-winter morning. By the laughing waters, Roses exchange morning pleasantries,

Glancing gaily fellows.

Gently slapping each other’s crimson petals,

To tell the faded colours of their fellow rose buds,

They mock and they laugh for eternity’s sake,

With petals flung open, Feasting on the yellow rays of summer’s smiling sun.

T IWho shall give these fellows Milk to tint their crimson Quivering flesh?

All they dream of is to caress too. Discoloured flesh; discontinued, Fights of love,

They laugh but they ask,

“All crimson? All freshness Swallowed under?”

On top, the blurry shadowy laughs,

Of chastised jests of love.

to all attendees, courtesy of the Youth Initiative Organisation.

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Trish Christi and Tirivashe Nyamukapa are both Form Three learners at Munashe High Private School in Mutoko. Learners can write short poems/stories or about special events at their schools and send to: prince.mushawevato@zimpapers.co.zw

Sleep

Sleep!

It is by you alone that I taste joy. When most miserable,

My sweet repose!

After a wilderness journey,

My sweet resort!

On a laborious day,

My labours pilgrimage,

By you, to you, to bed I repair. During the day, I do a bit of you. Daydreaming . . .

I would have sunk,

Beneath my sufferings,

Yet thou vanish not,

For tenderly with you deal, Friend, favour have shown,

By adding to you?

“Snoring, sleepwalking, empty talk, dreaming or drooling?”

By you I dream in sleep!

Too much of you for men is dangerous! Enshrouded in darkness,

I feel thy tender hand patting me to death.

A little sleep, a little slumber

Will soothe even the cursed of beasts. A little slumber, a little sleep Would do much good.

During the day,

I am sustained by you, my dearest, thou art my delight!

Admire Chatindo is a student at Great Zimbabwe University in Masvingo. Contact: 0771693830.

Laughter roses