Nattie College joins ZRP, MCAZ in the fight against drug abuse

Felistas TavareraOnline CorrespondentNattie College has partnered with the Medicine Control Authority of Zimbabwe (MCAZ) and the Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) in addressing drug and substance abuse.The move dovetails with the Government’s efforts to combat the pandemic. Speaking during an anti-drug abuse awareness campaign at Nattie College recently, MCAZ public relations officer Davison Kaiyo said drug and substance abuse had become a pandemic.This, he added, calls for a unified response to effectively address the issue.“MCAZ is part of the National Technical Committee on drug and substance abuse, working together with Government agencies and communities to fight issues of drug and substance abuse,” he saidMr Kaiyo said that popular culture significantly contributes to the prevalence of drug abuse, hence the need for a holistic approach in dealing with the challenge.“As part of the supply reduction pillar, we collaborate with ZRP to reduce access to illegal and unregistered drugs,” he said.“We have carried out numerous raids in various localities to combat the sale of unregistered medicines by unlicensed vendors.”Nattie College principal Micheal Rushwaya concurred that it is crucial for authorities to equip youths and school learners with the knowledge to navigate these challenges.“The reality is that substance abuse is not limited to hard drugs, but it often begins with seemingly harmless medications like painkillers and cough syrups,” he said.“Resultantly, this underscores the importance of vigilance and education in our approach. We must engage our students in conversations that demystify these substances, helping them understand that even common medications can lead to dangerous habits.“By regularly addressing these issues in class and through dedicated events, Nattie College also encourages learners to share their thoughts and experiences.“Open dialogue is also essential in building a supportive community where every student feels valued and heard.”He called for more collaborations with organisations that specialise in drug awareness, as part of proactive steps to educate learners on the dangers of substance abuse.Nattie College Mental Health Counsellor Tatenda Chandengenda weighed in that the programme was meant to create a conducive environment for students to openly discuss their concerns.“The art therapists also talked to learners, highlighting the link between substance misuse and mental health issues,” said the Counsellor.Amanda Mapurisa, a Nattie College student, said the programme was an eye-opener for learners as it explained complex topics in drug and substance issues.“We discovered that many substances we thought were harmless or legal over the counter drugs can actually be quite dangerous,” she said.“Realising that some of these products can harm us was shocking and it emphasised the importance of being informed consumers.”Share on FacebookPost on XFollow usSave

Originally published on Zimbabwe Herald

Source: Zimbabwe Herald

.