Talkmore F Mapfumo
Three former drug addicts have completed a 23-day walkathon from Beitbridge Border Post to Harare to raise awareness about the growing problem of drug and substance abuse in Zimbabwe.
The campaign, sponsored by NetOne, saw Columbus Mushore, Terrence Sheke and Kudakwashe Mafuta set off from Beitbridge on June 26, the International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking, before arriving in Harare after covering hundreds of kilometres on foot.
Now in its third edition, the annual walkathon seeks to educate communities on the dangers of drug abuse while encouraging those struggling with addiction to seek rehabilitation and support.
Speaking at the end of the campaign, Terrence Sheke said the journey revealed that drug and substance abuse is no longer confined to cities and towns but has spread to rural communities.
“As we moved from one village to another, we realised that the problem of drug use is now everywhere. This is why we need to take the awareness campaign to every corner of the country,” he said.
Fellow walker Kudakwashe Mafuta said the team encountered many young people battling addiction and referred several of them to rehabilitation centres for professional assistance.
“This march showed us that many youths in Zimbabwe are struggling with drug and substance abuse. Along the way, we managed to refer some young people to rehabilitation institutions where they can receive the help they need for recovery,” he said.
Mafuta, who is himself a recovering addict, said surviving a life-threatening addiction inspired him to dedicate his life to helping others overcome substance abuse.
“I escaped death because of drugs, and God gave me a second chance. While recovering, my prayer was that I would at least save one person by sharing my story. Today, through Heal Us, we are helping many people rebuild their lives,” he said.
The three walkers are members of Heal Us, a non-profit organisation founded by former addict Columbus Mushore to support drug awareness, prevention and rehabilitation initiatives.
Heal Us spokesperson Elton Ziki said the organisation aims to complement Government efforts in combating drug and substance abuse by expanding access to rehabilitation services.
“We want to complement Government efforts in fighting drug and substance abuse by establishing rehabilitation centres not only in Zimbabwe but across the region. This walkathon is our third journey along the Harare-Beitbridge Highway, and we intend to use it to spread the anti-drug message across the world. We deliberately begin the walk on June 26 each year to commemorate the International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking,” he said.
The walkathon was sponsored by NetOne as part of efforts to support awareness campaigns aimed at reducing drug and substance abuse, particularly among young people.
Speaking to the media, NetOne Public Relations Officer Thamsanga Lupahla said the telecommunications company partnered with Heal Us because drug abuse has become a national challenge affecting many Zimbabwean youths.
He said combating the scourge requires collective action from Government, the private sector, communities and civil society, with awareness campaigns playing a critical role in prevention and encouraging affected; individuals to seek help.
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