THE EMERGING WAR ON DRUG AND SUBSTANCE ABUSE: THE CASE OF HARARE CENTRAL BUSINESS DISTRICT, ZIMBABWE

Abstract

The world over, particularly in the Sub-Saharan Africa region, there have been growing cases of drug and substance abuse that pose a serious threat to concerted efforts aimed at strengthening public health systems in the region. The upsurge in drug and substance abuse has distressing implications on the socio-economic lives of individuals and communities at large. This is epitomised by rampant cases of criminal activities, increasing healthcare needs, rehabilitative services and reduced labour productivity, all of which are detrimental to communities’ public health sustainability. This study interrogates the implications of drug and substance abuse with perspectives from Harare, using a qualitative research approach. In depth interviews and document searches were also conducted. Major findings indicate that the uptake of most drugs being abused is meant to treat particular ailments, and prevention and treatment are the major adopted strategies to arrest the scourge, as awareness campaigns on dangers associated with drug abuse have increased. This study suggests the imperative need for punitive measures to be harnessed to deter perpetrators and promoters of drug and substance abuse that will ultimately assist in strengthening public health systems in SubSaharan Africa