Wedza-based artiste Tawanda “Dr Valks” Makwara has embraced music as a powerful tool to champion anti-drug abuse campaigns in the small town of Wedza by packaging the educational information through songs.
Dr Valks revealed that he has been combining music together with the knowledge he acquired through the National Aids Council trainings to teach the youths of today the adverse health impacts of drugs and substance abuse.
Sharing his expressions, Dr Valks said that he has chosen the trajectory after realizing that in Wedza and areas around there has been few of youth programmes that can raise awareness about the dangers of substance abuse hence he embarked on an artistic way of spreading the message.
“Surely drugs are affecting the youths of today, once one is into drugs it is obvious that the future of that person has been robed. Here in Wedza it is not common to have educational campaigns against drug abuse and that is why as a musician I have seen it worthy for me to close that gap by singing songs that guide the youths along the proper way of living. So sole of my songs warn them against substance abuse putting forward the dangers associated with drug abuse.
“I realised that unemployment is one of the drivers of substance abuse so when I meet my peers, I offer a positive message for a living. Also, with the resources that I also acquired when I got trained with the National Aids Council, I use that material as well to guide the youths,” he said.
He further expressed the need for early rehabilitation for substance abuse victims saying that when the situation begins to be addressed at an early stage it might help to prevent serious harm.
“I also suggest that those who are responsible for rehabilitation processes should do it earlier. By providing safe environments and early counselling services to those who have been engaged in drug and substance abuse might be very powerful to prevent serious danger,” he added.
Meanwhile, one of the youths Catherine Chaitezvi who shared her sentiments on solutions to the pandemic of substance abuse called upon families to quickly take action once they realize that one of their members has been engaged in substance abuse.
“As families we can also be at the forefront of fighting this pandemic. Let us closely monitor each other and as soon as we notice any behavior changes happening, we should quickly investigate and identify solutions that are around us. Let us not ignore or be slow to act because when the problem becomes big it will be difficult to solve,” she said .
The drug and substance abuse prevalent rate in Zimbabwe is alarmingly high, with approximately 57% of the youth population abusing drugs.This has led to the problem being declared a national security threat and a state of national disaster in 2023.
The most commonly abused drug is marijuana, and the problem is further complicated by acute socio-economic challenges. Some concerning statistics include:60% of psychiatry admissions which are due to drug abuse with 80% of those admitted aged 16 to 25 years, including school children.
