Latwell Nyangu, H-Metro Reporter
…initiative set to end road accidents, promote good health
Drug addicts will have an opportunity to get free drug screening, counselling and treatment during the month of July under an initiative set to end road accidents.
The initiative is targeting everyone directly or indirectly involved in drugs – from transport operators, youths, sportsmen, school children, drivers to churches.
Running under the theme ‘Fighting Drug Abuse through screening and Treatment, the initiative is a brainchild of of Fastep Healthcare Zimbabwe with the support of Zimbabwe Institute of Drugs and Alcohol Combating (ZIDAC), Ministry of Health and Child Care, Hatinete Trust, and Active Youth Zimbabwe.
Founder of Fastep Healthcare Zimbabwe, Simbarashe Chiromo, said there is a solution to end road carnage through screening.
“We are targeting everyone, transport operators, youths, sportsmen, school children, drivers and churches.
“Many people want to stop drugs but they don’t have solutions but we are urging them to come for screening which will be free for the whole month of July.
“We will be providing screening, counselling and treatment.”
Chiromo said their screening services detect 20 drugs or more at the same time.
“Drug abuse is not only in alcohol but mbanje, cocaine, tablets, BronCleer syrup, glue, and even prescriptions have become dangerous to one’s health as some are given overdoses or wrong medicines.
“There is a solution to rehabilitate people and make them stop abusing drugs.
“Work places and companies are using breathalysers which only detect alcohol but our screening take more than 20 drugs plus alcohol and results will be out in less than 10 minutes.”
He said artistes were also welcome.
“Artistes are also into the habit of consuming drugs but we are welcoming them for screening since drugs have long term effects.
“If you smoke dagga today, after two weeks the screening will detect it in your system.
“Some people are into drugs due to peer pressure and some are taking tablets which are common these days.
“A lot of talent is lost because of drug abuse, and road carnage is also prevalent due to drug abuse and human error,” said Chiromo.
He added:
“We have to unite and end this problem, because as it stands schoolchildren are also involved in drug abuse.
“We have also noticed that there is stigmatisation but we want to give them a platform whereby a person can open up freely and not feel like they are being judged or something like that.
“We want statistics to see how many people are affected by drugs.”
ZIDAC Programmes Officer Rejoice Mabika said:
“We do individual to community based activities where we disseminate information, telling people more on drugs and effects.
“We raise awareness campaigns in schools as well and also train workers on drugs addiction.
“We work with Harare Hospital and Parirenyatwa Group of Hospitals were we refer those in need of rehabilitation.
“People are stigmatised and some have reasons why they take on drugs but we are there to help.”
People can get in touch on fastepscreening@gmail.com or fastepzim@gmail.com
WhatsApp number: +263 778 559 990
Source: Hmetro