As many efforts are ongoing to rid the country of the drug scourge, Students and Youth Working on reproductive Health Action Team (SAYWHAT) Child Protection Unit in partnership with the Zimbabwe Republic Police Victim Friendly Unit, Department of Social Development and the Ministry of primary and secondary education are implementing an in-school awareness campaign to equip high school students with the skills and knowledge they need to resist and avoid drug use.

SAYWHAT Child Protection Unit visited high schools, St Ignatius, and Pamumvuri on September 16, 2023, and seven high schools in Chitungwiza – Zengeza High 1, 2, and 3 and Seke High 1, 2, 3, and 5 on October 3, 2023. During the in-school awareness campaign, students were taught the effects of drugs and substance abuse and were enlightened on the measures available for the protection of children living with family members who abuse drugs.

Students expressed that it’s not peer pressure that leads them to do drugs but the situation at home may be difficult and stressful and drugs become an escape route from stresses at home. The SAYWHAT Child Protection Unit reassured students that they can use toll-free number 577 any time if they need someone to talk to when they are stressed or to report abuse rather than doing drugs. The students had an opportunity to dance to the SAYWHAT Call Centre jingle, a memorable exercise to recall toll-free 577 https://www.tiktok.com/@saywhatzimbabwe/video/7285826713244814597?is_from_webapp=1&sender_device=pc&web_id=7262992062272833030

The beginning of 2023 saw the harsh reality of substance abuse among young people including high schools in Zimbabwe. While eight teenage students at Dominican Convent High School were expelled after school authorities found illicit drugs in their bags during a school trip (Herald Jan,27,2023) sixteen youths from Entumbane suburb in Bulawayo were hospitalized after reacting to a drug they had abused (The Chronicle, Feb,4, 2023).

SAYWHAT Child protection Unit continues to raise awareness among the young people as persistent abuse of drugs and other substance affect the cognitive development of children. Drug and substance abuse may result in poor performance in class, mental health problems, and poor peer relationships which ultimately result in gender-based violence and a range of criminal activities. Moreover, the fight to end HIV and AIDS may not be won as indulging in drug and substance abuse leads to reckless and un-informed health choices that lead to the spread of HIV, STIs and unwanted pregnancies. Young people are the future of tomorrow and SAYWHAT will continue to safeguarding and protecting young people from the dangers of drug and substance abuse.