Zimbabwe's schoolchildren are going back to class this week, but parents and teachers are worried about serious problems affecting young lives.
Recent studies show that many students are facing issues like drug abuse, bullying and mental health struggles in schools throughout the country. The alarming findings from a recent Unicef collaborative study have sent shockwaves through the educational community, revealing that a staggering 60% of school dropouts across Zimbabwe can be directly attributed to drug and substance abuse.
This crisis cuts across socioeconomic lines, with the study highlighting how substance preferences mirror economic status, affluent students gravitating towards expensive drugs like cocaine and heroin, while their less privileged counterparts turn to cheaper alternatives. The breadth of substance abuse is really disturbing, with cannabis leading at 67%, followed by cough syrup at 47% and crystal meth at 36%, creating a complex web of addiction that has entangled Zimbabwe's youth.
The effects of substance abuse to the children and youth have been dire. In July last year, the Unicef study draws direct connections to a surge in violence and mental health crises, with 70% of gang violence involving schoolchildren and 40% of suicide attempts linked to drug abuse. Perhaps most troubling is the revelation that 15% of intimate partner violence and gender-based violence cases involve adolescents and young people, suggesting that substance abuse is not just destroying educational opportunities but fundamentally altering social behaviours among youth.
These findings gain additional weight when considered alongside the November 2024 Afrobarometer survey, which reveals an urban-rural divide in the drug crisis. The near-unanimous recognition of the problem in Harare, where 97% of residents acknowledge its severity, contrasts with the 70% reported in rural areas, suggesting that urban schools face acute challenges. This geographic disparity demands targeted interventions that account for varying community contexts and resources.
Young leaders like Harare's junior mayor, Solomon Mzumara, noted: “Drug and substance abuse has been a topic of discussion at the highest level of government and it is our responsibility to ensure that we combat this problem.”
In that regard, all stakeholders should be involved in this war in one way or the other. Parents and guardians must now step into an enhanced role as the first line of defence. This involves regular, open dialogue with children about the dangers of substance abuse, recognising early warning signs and creating safe spaces for children to discuss their challenges. The Afrobarometer data showing 69% public trust in family members to combat drug abuse suggests that families already have the social capital needed to make a difference. They simply need the tools and support to leverage on effectively.
Educational institutions must undergo a fundamental transformation in their approach to student welfare.
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The traditional focus on academic achievement must be balanced with robust support systems that include regular psychological assessments, confidential counselling services and peer support networks. Schools should implement evidence-based prevention programmes that address both substance abuse and bullying, while fostering a culture of mutual respect and support among students.
The role of social workers and civil society organisations needs to evolve beyond crisis intervention to include proactive engagement with schools. This could involve regular campus visits, workshops for teachers and students and the establishment of rapid response protocols for when students show signs of distress or substance abuse. The successful implementation of such programmes requires sustained funding and support from both government and non-governmental organisations.
Religious leaders, who command 61% public trust according to the Afrobarometer survey, can play a crucial role by integrating anti-drug messages into their youth programmes and providing spiritual and moral guidance. Their influence can be effective in communities where traditional authority figures are highly respected, creating another layer of support for vulnerable youth.
Law enforcement approach must shift from purely punitive measures to a more nuanced strategy that combines enforcement with rehabilitation. The Afrobarometer finding that 39% of respondents favour severe penalties for drug offenders must be balanced against the need for rehabilitation and support, especially for young offenders who may be victims of circumstance rather than willing participants in drug culture.
More essentially, to address the root causes identified in the Unicef study which are parental loss, poverty and peer pressure, schools must work with the community and parents to identify and support at-risk students before they turn to substances or negative behaviours.
This could include establishing school-based support groups for students who have lost parents, creating mentorship programmes that pair vulnerable students with positive role models and developing after-school activities that provide constructive alternatives to drug use and negative peer influence.
To this end, Zimbabwe needs to focus on making schools safe and supportive places for children as it deals with these challenges.
Since schools are like second homes for children, everyone involved must work together to protect and help the children.
As our children return to school, we must ensure that educational institutions become sanctuaries of learning and growth, not breeding grounds for social ills.
Lawrence Makamanzi is a researcher who writes here in his personal capacity. He is reachable at his email address [email protected] or 0784318605.
