Staff Reporter
The Roman Catholic, Sacred Heart of Jesus Archdiocese, in Harare CBD, held a march to declare its commitment to eradicating drug and substance abuse.
Contacted through a tele-conversation, the Sacred Heart of Jesus Archdiocese church spokesperson, Simon Tsuro, attributed the reason for the program to the deadly effects of drug and substance abuse in our communities.
“We initiated this program because we are witnessing the deadly effects of drug and substance abuse. The youths who are engaging in drug and substance abuse are turning to criminal activities, this has affected the church. We cannot seat idly, while our future (the youths) are destroyed by drugs,” he said.
Tsuro noted that, the Catholic Archbishop of Harare, Robert Christopher Ndlovu, disbursed money in every Parish in the Archdiocese of Harare to participate in an awareness campaign against drugs.
“Archbishop, Ndlovu disbursed money to the entire Parish in the Archdiocese of Harare in its commitment to give a positive impact to the community in the fight against drug and substance abuse,” he noted.
Speaking at the occasion, Deputy Minister of Sport, Recreation, Arts and Culture, Emily Jesaya, highlighted the devastating impact of drug and substance abuse in Zimbabwe and applauded the church for engaging.
“Drug and substance abuse not only affects individuals but also has far-reaching consequences for our entire society, it tears apart families, destroys communities, hampers our nation’s progress, I applaud the church for involving themselves in such an initiative to combat drug and substance abuse head-on,” she said .
A convict, Batsirai Gava, narrated his tragedy of how he abused drugs and ended up killing his mother.
“Looking back I regret not taking advice on the impacts of drug abuse, I refused to listen to my family and the community at large, look at where it has landed me. I wish youths could learn from me, drugs will not do you any good,” he noted.
Also present at the occasion was the Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP), Zimbabwe Prisons and Correctional Services (ZPCS) and the Executive Women and Health Clinic.
