WHY do people abuse drugs? There are many complex reasons. Some reasons are intensely personal, while others are more common. Depression also makes people take drugs. Since depression is notoriously difficult to treat for some, many people seek temporary and instant relief provided by drugs or alcohol.
However, all the reasons provided above did not make Mkhululi Dlodlo (21) from Bulawayo’s Nketa 7 suburb turn to drugs.
For Dlodlo it started as a way to fit in when he was in Form 2. Fitting in is one of the causes of drug abuse as peer pressure causes people to do things they would normally not do to impress friends or loved ones. Fitting in can especially be a reason among young teens and adults. Unfortunately, drug use happens in all types of socioeconomic situations.
Later on, he spiralled out of control, the cause of losing control? The death of his mother. Drugs became a way to escape reality, to numb his feelings and to reduce stress. In nutshell, he became an addict.
Dlodlo said he now regrets abusing drugs after receiving support from people who discovered that his tomorrow is brighter than what he thought. He is now using his background and experience to discourage other youths from abusing drugs.
In an interview, Dlodlo said he was inspired by the founder of Varshas Academy, Norris Pikanegore who helped to rehabilitate him. He also trained him to be a beauty therapist.
“I was taking a lot of drugs before but I managed to limit myself and totally moved away from drugs after my admission at Varshas Academy of Beauty. I discovered that being here at Varshas Academy of Beauty has helped me a lot as I am now able to keep myself busy and away from crime and drug abuse.
“I tell you; this is something good that I am urging other youths especially boys to stay away from drugs and find something to do, which will keep them busy at the same time getting some money for upkeep for themselves and others who might need their help,” said Dlodlo.
Varshas Academy of Beauty is a training centre meant to impart beauty therapy skills to vulnerable youths and is located in Nketa 7 suburb. The institution gives life skills to school dropouts. People living with disabilities also benefit from the academy.
Dlodlo said he now understands the importance of living a decent life and he is now a gender-based violence ambassador as this is part of the training they receive from Varshas Academy of Beauty.
Even though it wasn’t easy to convince Dlodlo to quit drugs, Pikanegore said he never lost patience.
“It wasn’t easy because sometimes Dlodlo could just refuse to come for training but I gave myself time such that I was able to go to his home and force him to bath while watching as I was monitoring him.
“Dlodlo was a drug addict, he was very junk withdirty dreadlock but I forced him to cut that off and now he is a very smart person with a bright future. Mkhululi was a ring leader and their group was abusing all sorts of drugs and sleeping with girls, which I ended by force.
“As for me, I use force and I have a certain group, which I am targeting to rehabilitate, I’ve already started talking to them and soon I will take them to the Ministry of Youths, Arts, Sports and Recreation so that they get some training courses,” he said.
Pikanegore is appealing for financial assistance to fuel his anti-drug abuse campaign in high density suburbs. He said he is complementing Government efforts to mitigate drug and substance abuse among youths.
Government has established five drug rehabilitation centres in different parts of the country while 600 drug abusers have been rehabilitated countrywide as Zimbabwe moves to address substance abuse among youths.
President Mnangagwa in February launched the National Anti-Drug and Substance Abuse campaign as the country seeks to come up with lasting solutions to drug abuse, which is on the increase. This has seen the Government setting up an inter-ministerial committee on substance abuse chaired by the Ministry of Public Service, Labour and Social Welfare. – The Chronicle
