Minister of State for Provincial Affairs and Devolution for Mashonaland West, Marian Chombo, has called on the media to partner with Government in combating drug and substance abuse, describing the scourge as a serious threat to the province’s future.
Addressing journalists at her offices yesterday, Minister Chombo said drug and substance abuse had moved beyond isolated incidents and had become a crisis affecting schools, homes, and communities across the province.
“The crisis is no longer distant. It is in our schools, on our streets, and behind closed doors in our communities. We are losing young people to crystal meth, mbanje, and other substances. Families are breaking down, violence is rising, and our productivity as a province is being eroded,” she said.
The Minister outlined a multi-pronged response anchored on prevention, rehabilitation, and enforcement. She said Mashonaland West was mobilising resources to establish rehabilitation centres to ensure treatment and support services are accessible locally.
“We are building capacity so that no one is left behind,” Chombo said.
The province is also rolling out community engagement programmes targeting parents, teachers, churches, and traditional leaders to improve drug identification and early intervention. Partnerships with industry, particularly in the mining and agricultural sectors, have also been activated to support prevention and rehabilitation initiatives.
On enforcement, Minister Chombo said her office is working closely with the Zimbabwe Republic Police to disrupt supply chains and curb the availability of illicit substances.
She urged journalists to report responsibly, avoid sensationalism, and focus on solutions and recovery stories.
“The media is not just a reporter of events. You are a partner in shaping the conscience of our province. Use your platforms to educate, inform, and hold us accountable,” she said.
Chombo also called on the media to help demystify drugs for parents who often struggle to identify dangerous substances, while highlighting positive alternatives such as youth sports, skills training, and cultural programmes that steer young people away from drug abuse.
The Minister stressed that Government alone cannot win the fight against drugs and appealed to parents, churches, businesses, and civil society organisations to play their part.
“This is a fight for the soul of Mashonaland West and for the future of Zimbabwe. Let us join hands to protect our children, restore families, and build communities where youth have hope and opportunity,” she said.
Chombo added that her office is working towards rolling out awareness campaigns, sports galas, and other community programmes aimed at preventing drug abuse.
“Let us unite. Let us work together. As His Excellency President Mnangagwa has said, this is between me and you to end this problem. Let us all fight these drugs. Let us unite. Let us save our nation. Together we can make it,” she said.
Government has in recent months intensified nationwide efforts to curb drug and substance abuse, with provincial administrations increasingly taking a leading role in awareness, prevention, and enforcement initiatives aimed at protecting young people and strengthening community resilience.
