drug and substance abuse

Pedal-2-Wellness lives up to billing

**cyclists prepare to start the Pedal-2-Wellness event**

BY MUNYARADZI BLESSING DOMA

The second edition of the Pedal-2-Wellness event which was hosted by Cimas Health Group through its wellness division iGO last Saturday, lived to up its billing as the Borrowdale Office Park was a hive of activity with hundreds of cyclists participating in the event.

The event which had elite, social and children cyclists, was meant to promote cardio fitness and raise awareness of drug and substance abuse within the community.

Head iGO, Dr Willmore Kapuyanyika, was equally ecstatic as the event went as planned.

“It’s a special Saturday as Cimas Health Group through its wellness division iGO, is hosting the second edition of Pedal-2-Wellness event meant to promote cardio fitness and raises awareness of drug and substance abuse within our community.

“Open to elite and social cyclists including children, the event is being held under the theme, “Pedal against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking”.

“iGo is Cimas Health Group’s wellness division that provides access to a range of wellness services and resources.

“It serves as a pathway to holistic health, offering Cimas members the tools and support they need to enhance their eight aspects of wellness, namely, Emotional, Environmental, Financial, Intellectual, Occupational, Spiritual, Social and Physical,” said Dr Kapuyanyika.

He added: “at Cimas Health Group, our purpose is to inspire healthier communities by providing global standard health and wellness solutions.

“Pedal-2-Wellness aligns perfectly with this purpose as it promotes preventive healthcare through physical activity.

“It reflects our desire of promoting a healthier lifestyle, fostering community engagement and providing support and education to improve the quality of life for everyone.

“Like what I have earlier said, at Cimas, we are committed to empowering our members to lead healthy and fulfilling lives,” added Dr Kapuyanyika.

The event had participants under the age of 13, who cycled for 4.5km, those over 13 did 22.5km and the elite cyclists who did 45km.

**and off they go…cyclists participate at the event**

iGo Wellness Coach, Godknows Muperekedzwa said taking time off busy schedule is an important way of managing your wellbeing.

“It’s a sign of ubuntu where the community is coming together for a social cause thus spreading a message against drug and substance use and illicit trafficking as well as extending a helping hand to those in need at Chikurubi Psychiatric Unit.

“This also resonate with our value of togetherness. It takes the whole village to raise up a child and together we make a difference, sustainability of interventions.

“We are the first medical aid to provide cover for mental health, created synergies with key service providers to improve the quality of care for our members, (Borrowdale Halfway Houses; Friendship Bench).

“Provision of group and personalised mental health interventions through our iGo department.

“A network of value partners as a way of not only incentivising to reinforce a positive behaviour but to ensure accessibility and affordability of these crucial services,” added Muperekedzwa.

One elite cyclist said participating in the Pedal-2-Wellness event and completing the 45km race was an exhilarating and rewarding experience as the journey tested physical endurance, mental strength and determination, as they were pushed to the limits while cycling through scenic routes.

“The atmosphere was filled with camaraderie, as fellow cyclists encouraged one another along the way.

“Crossing the finish line after such a long distance brought a deep sense of accomplishment and knowing it was all for promoting wellness made it even more fulfilling.”

Soccer to fight drug and substance abuse

BY MUNYARADZI BLESSING DOMA

During the Covid-19 lockdown, a lot of mental health cases were left unchecked, as the effects of being idle had its toll on many people, especially the youths.

Unfortunately some youths found comfort in drug and substance abuse, leading to various tales and to avoid such risks, a football team was established in Budiriro.

In an interview with this reporter, Bunders FC Secretary General Isaac Tapfumaneyi, revealed that the team was established in the Covid lockdown period in March 2020 by Mr Kujinga.

“The name of the team was inspired by the Bundesliga and our objectives when we started were plenty but the main ones were to alleviate the risk of drug and substance abuse, to empower young talented boys to excel.

“So basically Bunders FC becomes a springboard for these guys as it gives them a platform to showcase their talents.

“And also to give entertainment to the community when playing friendly matches, to improve the basic healthy lifestyles of young people through sport and to foster a spirit of team work and sportsmanship in the young guys,” said Tapfumaneyi, popularly known as Gwaze.

Gwaze further revealed that on the course of their journey, their aim was to at least have players playing in the various soccer divisions in the country, a fete the have managed to achieve.

“The journey has been not been an easy one especially from the beginning.

“However the establishment of an Area Zone in Budiriro has helped us to reach our goals. If I can single out some of our guys are playing in Division 1 and 2.

“We also have the talented Chris Mukambira who was part of the boys when we started, is now playing for Bikita Minerals.

“The impact and influence has been huge and even if you come to any one of our matches, you will notice how Bunders has become a darling of the community as people spare their precious time to come and witness our boys playing.

“It is not only about soccer but we have mentored some of the boys to be business professionals as well.

“We have guys in the engineering field and some entrepreneurs as well,” added Gwaze.

He added that this is no longer a project, but has since become culture or religion.

“We have left a template that when other people come, there will continue with our way of style.

“We have won many accolades in our area zone and we are the team to beat.

“And like everyone else, we do face challenges financially, we are on a shoe string budget that is financed by the executives and some players who are working.

“The team also faces the risk of sprouting social soccer leagues and boozers who lure our players to play for them in return of small tokens.

“Be that as it may, we have managed to survive over the years and I owe the success hugely to passion of seeing the team going,” he added.

Meanwhile Bunders FC which is top of the log, will be playing Wonderers FC in Budiriro.

Divine intervention needed to fight drug and substance abuse

**Minister of Youth Empowerment, Development and Vocational Training, Tino Machakaire speaks, whilst his Deputy, Kudakwashe Mupamhanga looks on**

BY MUNYARADZI BLESSING DOMA

The Government has called on religious organisations to complement its efforts in fighting drug and substance abuse which is threatening the lives of many youths.

Speaking at a meeting with various religious leaders and representatives at his offices on Monday; Minister of Youth Empowerment, Development and Vocational Training, Tino Machakaire, said there was need for divine intervention as the scourge was proving to be a menace.

He also revealed that youths had to be empowered in various business ventures like agriculture, so that they can develop themselves.

During the same meeting, the Zimbabwe Multisectoral Drug and Substance Abuse Plan 2024-2030, which was launched by President Mnangagwa recently, was also presented.

“Esteemed leaders, as shepherds of the youth in our congregations and organisations, we desire to get your views and ideas on ways to effectively collaborate to empower our youths and extricate them from this bondage.

“We do acknowledge that as religious organizations, you play a critical role in shaping the development of our youth and do have programmes in place that are dedicated to moulding and guiding them as they traverse the delicate phase of transitioning from childhood to adulthood.

“These programmes promote values of compassion, empathy, tolerance, and righteousness to help youth that agriculture is not a dirty business but lucrative and profitable.

“They should start to view farming as a business and a dynamic venture that rewards if done with passion. The most important thing is to farm from an informed point of view, and in this regard, my Ministry has a Business Development Department that can give information on what to grow for both the local and export market,” said Minister Machakaire.

Similar sentiments were also echoed by his Deputy, Kudakwashe Mupamhanga, who said the challenge which the country was facing requires collective efforts.

“There is need for a whole of government approach but I would also add to say the whole of society approach, so as a Ministry, we saw it fit to say, on this challenge that we are facing, let us call and invite leaders of religious organisations.

“This meeting is crucial so that we discuss all the issues affecting the youths. We did that because we realised that there are about 5,4 million youths, so looking at the church as a constituency and other religions organisations, we realise that you do quite a lot work.

“And you are a big stakeholder in shaping the moral fibre of our youths, so as a result, it’s very important that if are doing this, we need you. It is a fact that as government, we cannot do it alone and I would like to thank the vision of our President Dr E.D Mnangagwa because he has pushed for an inclusive society, he has pushed for inclusive government, he has pushed for the inclusion of young people, women and just last week, we were at a disability expo, where we had a lot of religious organisations there.

“So that as we build our nation, we leave no-one and no place behind, everyone has a role to play, so as result when we talk about fighting drug and substance abuse, all religious organisations, be it Christian, Moslem, Jewish, whatever, we each have a role to play,” said Minister Mupamhanga.

Speaking on the sidelines of the same event, Sheikh Ishmail Duwa, Supreme Council of Islamic Affairs Zimbabwe President, said the programme was really good because in all the scriptures be it in the Quran or Bible, God abhors the taking of drugs or substances.

“Because if people just take drugs willy-nilly, then there is no development in the country so I actually think that this programme should really be driven by all religious leaders.

“And according to Islam, the taking of drugs is a great sin against God, so we really support this programme.

“So we now need to look at how we can empower the youths, because we need to look at the root cause of these problems and most of this, is being caused by unemployment,” said Sheikh Duwa.

Another religious leader, Bishop Kingstone Musarurwa Chirau from the Church of God of Africa, said he was grateful for this programme because if all the plans are implemented, the country will make great strides to eliminate the scourge.

“If this problem is left untamed, it will really ruin the youths, we will have serious challenges hence we need to deal with this once and for all. If we have lost our youths, then it will spell doom for our nation.

“But with this programme, we are bound to have a better future because our youths will stop taking drugs because religious organisations have been included.

“We need to eliminate all harmful practices which are leading our youths to take drugs and we want to thank the President for launching Drug and Substance Abuse programme; we are really grateful for this.”

Zim sets up new drug and substance elimination agency

**Minister of Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services, Dr Jenfan Muswere**

BY MUNYARADZI BLESSING DOMA

The government has approved the setting up of a Security Service and specialized Drug and Substance Elimination Agency/National Drug Agency, as the country is currently battling with drug and substance use especially amongst the youths.

Briefing the media following Tuesday’s Cabinet meeting, Minister of Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services Dr Jenfan Muswere, said the agency will be responsible for the enforcement of laws that deal with drug and substance trafficking, use and abuse as well as coordinating efforts of other support services.

He also revealed that the “prevalence of drug and substance abuse has become a global issue and Zimbabwe has not been spared.

“Drug and Substance Abuse has become a threat to economic development, social harmony, health and wellbeing, public order and security.

“Cabinet has thus approved the Principles for the enactment of the Zimbabwe Drug and Substance Agency Bill, 2024 that paves way for the establishment of an additional Security Service and specialized Drug and Substance Elimination Agency/National Drug Agency.

“The Agency will be responsible for the enforcement of laws that deal with drug and substance trafficking, use and abuse as well as coordinating efforts of other support services,” said Minister Muswere.

Minister Muswere also reported that government continues to intensify its response against drug and substance abuse across the country.

“Since January 2024, about 6 148 people were arrested, 677 were suppliers and 5 471 were end-users.

“A total of 106 illegal drug and substance trading bases were identified, raided and destroyed in Harare, Shamva, Chinhoyi, Bindura, Bulawayo and Mutare. “Fifty-one liquor outlets were charged for operating without the correct licenses and while 268 operators were also arrested for violating license conditions, 17 outlets had their licenses cancelled for violating operating conditions.

“A total of 311 countrywide inspections on medicine outlets were conducted and 62 lines of medicines were confiscated.

“Awareness campaigns on drug and substance abuse are being accelerated targeting adults, youths and children.

“Cabinet has approved the Zimbabwe Multi-Sectoral Drug and Substance Abuse Plan 2024-2030 that outlines a comprehensive strategic approach to address the escalating threat of drug and substance abuse to public health, economic growth, national security, and social stability in Zimbabwe,” added Minister Muswere.

He also reported that the decentralization of the Drug and Narcotics Department will be expedited as cabinet also approved the review and updating of fine structure of the organization and directed that suppliers must be prosecuted through the courts and not through spot fines.

“Establishment of outpatient Psychosocial Support Centers and parenting groups countrywide as well as the purchase of psychotropic medicines and food provisions for rehabilitation centers will be expedited.”

It was also reported that empowering the youths remains critical hence the Youth Service training programme will start in June 2024 at Dadaya and Vumba Training Centres.

“In addition, as a key measure to reduce indulgence, ensuring financial inclusivity is being heightened and a total of USD20 000 has been loaned to youths across the country for income generating projects through the Empower Bank.”