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By Joyce Mukucha
According to a plethora of studies, drug abuse among the youth in Zimbabwe has reached crisis levels, and the number of youths engaging in drug abuse is increasing yearly.
Against this background, Chitungwiza Mayor, Lovemore Maiko has denounced over drug abuse and grisly killings being witnessed in the town and called upon everyone to join hands in combating the vice.
In a statement, Cllr Maiko said due to increased drug and substance abuse by young people has consequences for family members, the community, and the entire society.
He indicated that due to continuous drug abuse, cases of murder were also escalating in the city thus the urgent need for everyone to be pro-active and deal with these incidences accordingly.
As of 21 October 2021, Cllr Maiko highlighted, a resident was murdered in Ward 7, and last week another body was found in Unit J.
Some common drugs being used by the youths include Crystal Meth commonly referred to as Guka Makafela, Marijuana, Mutoriro and many others.
“It is against this background that I wish to challenge the public, residents as well as enforcement agents to be on the look-out and to help to thwart these merciless killings. Again, as a result of increased substance use by the youth result in more severe violence that also leads to murder. We are also losing future leaders and this cannot continue under our watch.
“The murder cases are now the cause for concern as reports are being made week in, week out. Therefore it is my clarion call to all and sundry that we must unite and stop these incidences. Our community is now living in fear of the unknown. We need to create safe and habitable societies. It is therefore imperative that we come together as residents to address this problem to ensure that the sanctity of life is preserved,” said Cllr Maiko.
Encouraging parents and guardians to