Blessing Masakadza
Herald Reporter
DRUGS and substance abuse is a matter of national security, hence the Government’s tough stance on peddlers and users, State Security Minister Lovemore Matuke has said.
The minister said young people were turning to violent crime because of drugs, with several murder, robbery, theft, rape and domestic violence cases being linked to people under the influence of dangerous substances.
Minister Matuke said drugs and substance abuse was a generational threat and went against the Government’s development agenda, which recognises the youth as a vital cog.
He said this on the sidelines of a sports gala held at Mushayavanhu High School in Gutu over the weekend, which saw youth from all four districts of Gutu competing for various prizes to be utilised to start income-generating projects.
“The President is clear that this scourge must be stopped. This is a security issue because whoever is intoxicated can be used to cause chaos, which requires us to act. Several young people are getting into crime because of drugs and this needs to be stopped. We have witnessed murders and robberies being attributed to drugs and this needs to be stopped,” he said.
Minister Matuke added that the Government, through the national task force headed by Defence Minister Oppah Muchinguri, is working to cut all drug supply chains and rehabilitate those already impacted by the scourge.
He said the scourge is threatening rural communities, which requires urgent action, adding that engagement with the youth and traditional leaders will help spread awareness and save communities.
“The national task force needs the support of all stakeholders and this is our contribution. The problem is spreading and affecting rural communities, which calls for the participation of everyone — parents, traditional leaders and the youth. We gathered all the districts in Gutu to raise awareness through sports, and the various prize monies will be used to start income-generating projects for the youth so that they do not remain idle,” he said.
“Sporting activities have the power to attract and unite people and we are happy that the target audience, the youth, have heard the message from the various experts we had. We started here in Gutu Central; next year we will be in Gutu East,” he said.
Minister Matuke warned that dealers would face the full wrath of the law, while the Government was working to rehabilitate those affected.
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