The use of crystal meth escalates in Zimbabwe
The youths in Zimbabwe have been known to use some dangerous and illegal drugs. These include prescription pills, cannabis, broncleer etc. It now seems a new drug on the streets has gained much popularity.
Mutoriro known scientifically as methamphetamine, crystal meth is a highly addictive stimulant that numbers seem to be venturing into. Reports say that during this lockdown in Zimbabwe, numbers have massively increased. This is because the lockdowns have negatively affected the youth and most have lost their jobs.
According to The Guardian, the drug has been used in Zimbabwe for some years but its use has grown in the townships as the economic crisis grips the country. With 90% unemployment, Zimbabwe’s youths are the most affected by the bad economic crisis. This has resulted in most of them resorting to these dangerous drugs.
An anonymous youth from Harare reports to The Guardian that the closure of schools because of the COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in teenagers joining the groups that smoke crystal meth.
“These days you find little girls taking the substance. Most of them are coming here to smoke this drug with us. At 1 am in the morning you will find most kids flooding the streets smoking meth. It is like you are watching a movie. The children have become wild,” he adds.
The use of crystal meth escalates in Zimbabwe
According to sources a gram of the substance costs USD$12. The price is quite high for most users in the townships. However, drug-sellers are making a fortune from the drug-thirsty market which will resort to anything to quench their appetite. One supplier of the drug who stays in Mbare, Harare says the market is growing rapidly and now makes a minimum of USD$200 a day from his sales.
Despite the high prices, many users find a way to purchase the drug by being involved in crooked ways like stealing to get the cash. Many youths are drug addiction in Zimbabwe. The lack of public rehabilitation centres worsens the situation.
A mental health expert in Zimbabwe reports to the Guardian saying that accessing mental health services is very expensive for the unemployed youths.
“I blame the use illicit substances on peer pressure and Zimbabwe’s unrelenting economic problems. Rehabilitation is achievable for drug addicts but most users often relapse when they have nowhere to go but back to the shanty towns where peer pressure they faced before remains along with the same daily problems,” explains the health expert.