ZIMBABWE’S tertiary students have blamed the country’s deteriorating economy for the increase in drug abuse in learning institutions.
They also said failure to cope with life was also a major concern.
Over the past few years Zimbabwe has been battling an unprecedented increase in drug abuse, especially by students in institutions of higher learning.
During the National Youth Day commemorations last year, the Zimbabwe Human Rights Association said the widespread drug and substance abuse among youths was symptomatic of the country’s broken down socio-economic system.
Zimbabwe National Students Union secretary-general Joseph Nyamayaro told NewsDay yesterday that students were victims of drug abuse due to the crumbling economy as they were failing to cope.
He said the union was embarking on a campaign to help mitigate the use and effects of drugs in institutions of higher learning.
“As the Zimbabwe National Students Union we are running a campaign called GoVote which is a blanket campaign encouraging young people to show up on the date as part of the campaign.
“As we have noted a grave concern of drug and substance abuse is also a structural issue. Students are forced into drugs due to abject poverty, failing to cope with an increase in fees and the idea of looking into a bleak future because of the absence of jobs,” Nyamayaro said.
- Witch-hunt scare hits UZ
- Zim unemployment, education system not directly linked
- Power blackout disrupts UZ exam
- Why must we celebrate human rights defenders?
Keep Reading
He said they had also realised that the drug lords were politically connected and were known by the police, but were not being arrested because of their connections.
He accused politicians of using drugs to deter youths from participating in elections, adding that the prectice was contributing to voter apathy.
“It’s also a tactic by the regime to deprive the young people from knowing issues about their lives and how they must stand up for their rights,” Nyamayaro said.
Council of Student Teachers Union president Walter Muzamani said the scourge was serious and attributed it to government failure.
“In a crumbling economy, most of the jobs the youths now find themselves doing are no longer for the sober minded. They require someone to be intoxicated,” he said.
Muzamani also said the issues of corruption and lawlessness were the major causes of drug use at colleges.
Follow us on Twitter @NewsDayZimbabwe
