By Kundai Marunya

THE idea of walking from Beitbridge to Harare, a distance of 584km, may, in the eyes of the public, likely be dismissed as the height of lunacy. Some would even suggest the person suggesting that be examined for mental illness. Not so for HealUs Zimbabwe chairperson Columbus Mushore! Recovering from an addiction to mutoriro (crystal meth), Mushore is no stranger to derogatory labels that come with drug abuse nor is he a stranger to the notion of association to drugs when one considers what many people regard as impossible. But unlike other addicts, he turned his life around, rid his body of drugs, and, as of Wednesday, has begun the arduous journey across four provinces in a walk to raise awareness against drug abuse. This walk coincides with the day Zimbabwe is joining the rest of the world in commemoration of International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking under the theme, ‘The evidence is clear: Invest in prevention’.

“Drugs are at the root of immeasurable human suffering,” said UN SecretaryGeneral António Guterres in a message posted on the UN website in commemoration of the day. “Drug use eats away at people’s health and well-being. Overdoses claim hundreds of thousands of lives every year. “Meanwhile, synthetic drugs are becoming more lethal and addictive, and the illicit drug market is breaking production records, feeding crime and violence in communities around the world.

“At every turn, the most vulnerable people — including young people — suffer the worst effects of this crisis. “People who use drugs and those living with substance abuse disorders are victimised again and again: by the drugs themselves, by stigma and discrimination, and by heavy-handed, inhumane responses to the problem.” Mushore, who has been sober for over two years, is the founder of HealUs Zimbabwe, whose mission is to improve the overall health and well-being of individuals affected by substance abuse. Having personally experienced the devastating effects of drug abuse, the HealUs Zimbabwe chairman recognised the urgent need for greater awareness and resources to support individuals struggling with addiction in the country.

Together with other anti-drug advocates Kudakwashe Mafuta and Terrence Shenje, Mushore has gone the extra mile by backing his advocacy with action — hence the ‘Drug and Substance Abuse Awareness and Call to Action Beitbridge-Harare Walk’. “We’re not doing it for personal glory, but to raise awareness on drug abuse, something that nearly cost me my family and future,” said Mushore. “We are walking from Beitbridge to Harare in less than a month, starting from June 26. We will be pushing to walk over 30km a day.” The HealUs Zimbabwe trio will make pit-stops in different towns, villages and urban centres where they will engage members of the community on anti-drug awareness campaigns.

Kudakwashe Mafuta, Columbus Tapiwa Mushore and Terrence Shenje

“For us, the highlight is not the walk, but engaging young people and encouraging them to desist from using drugs,” said Mushore. “Those who are already taking drugs are encouraged to seek help while we engage their families on the best ways to help them. “The walk will also provide us with an opportunity to engage people from different walks of life as we identify key areas that need action in the fight against drugs.” Since its formation, HealUs Zimbabwe has worked tirelessly to create awareness about the dangers of drug abuse and the resources available for treatment and recovery. Their focus area has, however, been Harare; thus the walk provides an opportunity to reach a larger geographical area and a bigger audience.

Drug abuse has been of major concern in Zimbabwe, leading President Emmerson Mnangagwa to declare the scourge a national emergency and putting in motion the formation of National Committee on Drug and Substance Abuse. The committee has since come up with a comprehensive action plan that seeks to deal with the scourge of drug and substance abuse in the country, as directed by President Mnangagwa. The action plan, launched Wednesday, is a multi-sectoral strategic plan that addresses the myriad challenges faced by individuals who resort to using drugs and illicit substances as well as their families and communities. In an article published in The Herald, Public Health Advisor to the President, Dr Agnes Mahomva, said the rolling out of the action plan was part of efforts to ensure that targeted interventions to fight drug and substance abuse were effective.

“His Excellency President E. D. Mnangagwa specifically gave clear direction to the National Drug and Substance Abuse Committee to come up with a detailed national response ‘roadmap’ for an effective and efficient national response that is well coordinated,” she said. “The crafting of the plan was, therefore, informed by the need for a clear roadmap, with clear goals and strategies that everyone is guided by, in order to ensure that the national response is well coordinated and produces the desired results.” The Government adopted the Zimbabwe national drug masterplan and treatment and rehabilitation guidelines for alcohol and substance use disorders in 2021 before subsequently setting up an Inter-Ministerial Committee on Drug Abuse.

Though the Government, working with various stakeholders, has been at the forefront of the drug war, there is need for other players to support the initiative.

HealUs Zimbabwe has been working to rid the country of the drug scourge through active engagement of both drug abusers and those affected. In the past, HealUs Zimbabwe has conducted awareness campaigns to discourage the use of drugs during the holiday seasons. “The organisation recognised that the holiday period can be a dangerous time for individuals struggling with addiction, and sought to raise awareness of the potential risks and consequences associated with drug abuse during this time,” said HealUs Zimbabwe communication director Elton Ziki. “As part of the campaigns, HealUs Zimbabwe organised a series of events and activities aimed at promoting healthy behaviours and alternative forms of edutainment during the holiday seasons. “We also provided resources and support for individuals who may have been struggling with addiction, and worked to connect them with treatment and recovery services.”

Through various initiatives and programmes, HealUs Zimbabwe has been able to provide support and resources to individuals struggling with drug addiction. The organisation has also worked to reduce the stigma surrounding substance abuse and increase access to treatment for the people in need. “We partner local community leaders, healthcare providers and other organisations to educate the public about the impact of substance abuse on individuals, families and communities,” said Ziki. In the past initiatives undertaken by the organisation have been largely funded through donations from its current members, as the organisation has encountered obstacles in obtaining external funding.

The drug awareness walk has, however, attracted part sponsorship from medical aid company Ultra Med and FaStep, a company that deals in drug testing kits. With the support of its dedicated members and partners, HealUs Zimbabwe continues to seek new ways to expand its reach and impact, and to overcome the barriers that currently limit its ability to do so.

“We are grateful for the support we are getting from the corporate world, and we call on those who want to work with us on our journey to eradicate drug use and abuse to come on board,” said Mushore