The Emerging Trends and Response to Drug and Substance Abuse among the Youth in Zimbabwe

Abstract

Drug and substance abuse is a contemporary problem among the youth and has reached crises levels in the nation of Zimbabwe. The problem has been compounded by acute socio-economic challenges that have characterised the nation for the past decade. Despite efforts to curb the problem, new forms of drug and substance abuse are emerging. This study, which is based on a documentary survey, explored the emerging trends in drug and substance abuse among youths in Zimbabwe, as well as evaluating the current measures to deal with the problem. While marijuana is viewed as the most abused drug, this study reveals some emerging trends such as the abuse of prescription drugs, use of home-made intoxicating substances, infusion of intoxicated people’s blood, ingestion of drug laced foods and drinking sodium polyacrylate from boiled diapers. Acute socio-economic challenges, ease of access and porous borders are considered the major contributory factors for drug and substance abuse. Notwithstanding the efforts by the government and law enforcement agents to deal with the scourge, this study reveals that the current measures have not been as effective as expected.