Drug and substance abuse in Zimbabwe is driving new HIV infections, especially among the youth, according to the National Aids Council (NAC). Raymond Kuyera, the NAC’s key population and vulnerable population programs coordinator for Harare province, emphasized the need for combined efforts from the government, civil society, and media to curb this trend.
Speaking at a media engagement workshop organized by the Zimbabwe Civil Liberties and Drug Network (ZCLDN), Kuyera highlighted the interconnected issues of HIV, mental health, gender-based violence, and substance abuse. “HIV must be linked to other issues like mental health, gender-based violence, rehabilitation, and broader public health,” he said.
Kuyera noted that drug abuse significantly increases the risk of HIV transmission. “The efficiency of HIV transmission per injection is almost six times higher than for heterosexual acts,” he stated. He also pointed out that behavioral treatments for drug abuse have a proven impact on reducing HIV risk behaviors and infection rates.
Zimbabwe has reduced its HIV prevalence rate to 12%, but key populations, including those using injectable drugs, are reversing these gains. Kuyera reported that about 3% of Zimbabwe’s population uses drugs recreationally. “Drug abuse is rife in Africa, and Zimbabwe is being used as a transitional site for illegal drug trade,” he added.
Knowledge Mupembe, ZCLDN programs officer, attributed the rise in drug use to economic hardships and peer pressure. “Economic challenges and admiration for others using drugs are major factors. For sex workers, drugs can help them cope with their work,” he explained.
However, drug users face significant challenges, including unsafe sexual practices and stigma from health staff. “We need to accept them back into the community,” Mupembe urged.
ZCLDN executive director Wilson Box called for comprehensive efforts to achieve a drug-free nation. He criticized current government policies as inadequate. “Our laws are too weak to curb drug and substance use. The issue of drugs and substances is a public health concern,” Box stated.
Box stressed the urgency of updating Zimbabwe’s laws to address current trends. “Our archaic laws must be revamped to move with current trends,” he said. He also mentioned the government’s implementation of a Drugs Master Plan as a step towards addressing these challenges.
Reports indicate widespread drug use among Zimbabwean youth. Authorities at Ingutsheni Psychiatric Hospital in Bulawayo reported that over 90% of new patients are drug users. President Emmerson Mnangagwa has called for harsher penalties against drug users and peddlers to address the growing crisis.
The increasing drug abuse and its link to rising HIV infections highlight an urgent public health issue in Zimbabwe. Combined efforts from various sectors are essential to tackle this problem effectively. The government, civil society, and the media must collaborate to implement effective strategies and support policies that address both drug abuse and HIV transmission.
The ongoing crisis calls for immediate action to protect the youth and vulnerable populations from the dual threats of drug abuse and HIV/AIDS. Strengthening laws, providing adequate health services, and reducing stigma are critical steps towards a healthier future for Zimbabwe.
Source: Newsday
