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Victor Maphosa and Daniel Chigunwe Herald Reporters

Residents in Mvurwi, Mashonaland Central, have raised a red flag over drug and substance abuse by youths in the farming town.

The residents, especially parents, said they were now afraid of the youths whom they accused of being rowdy after taking the drugs.

They called on the local leadership to avail commercial stands that will create employment opportunities for the youth and deter the ongoing rampant drug abuse.

The farming town is becoming a hotspot for drug abuse, with concerns rising over the social welfare of the youths and crime rise.

The concerns were raised by residents on Friday during an engagement meeting organized by Mazowe North Member of Parliament Cde Campion Mugweni.

Cde Mugweni organized the interface to have an appreciation of challenges faced by people in his constituency and to map the way forward in as far as constituency development was concerned.

Speaking during the engagement meeting, Cde Mugweni promised to urgently look into drug abuse in the constituency.

He said he will organize a committee to engage council over the availability of more commercial stands to address issues of unemployment in Mvurwi.

“As the MP, I am equally worried that there are very few industries in this town to cater for the employment of youths,” said Cde Mugweni. “We want our youths to be productive, they should not be idle. We want them to have something decent to do and earn a living.

“I hear issues of drug abuse are on a serious rise in my constituency too, we feel an expansion in business stands will deter the use of drugs among our youth. I am also challenging all parents here and everyone to encourage children to be responsible. Drug abuse is very dangerous and it must stop.

“Everyone should play a role in ensuring that drug abuse is stopped in this community, it is not the work of the police alone, but of all of us.”

A resident who refused to be named said among other drugs, youths were abusing a cough syrup commonly known as bronco in the streets and mbanje.

“After abusing these drugs, they are becoming sick and at times they become mentally ill,” he said. “Most of parents present here know where these drugs are being sold, but they do not report it to the police.

“The next thing they will blame the police for not doing their job yet we are not also helping the police with information. Let us all play a part and ensure this community is free from drug abuse. Let us save our children. And to our MP, we sincerely thank you for engaging us constantly.”