ZIMBABWEAN artists have used their trades to shine the light on social injustices and topical issues around gender-based violence, child marriages, drug and substance abuse and mental health challenges, among others.
To stop these kinds of practices, musicians, visual artists, poets, authors, sculptors, among others, have bombarded these evils through their work.
Among the topical issues is drug and substance abuse, a pandemic leading the people of our country to a dead end no matter how many messages berating the practice are preached by artists.
Musicians from across the country have tackled drug and substance abuse including Winky D’s Mafirakureva song back in the day, gospel sensation Fungisai Zvakavapano Mashavave featuring Baba Erija’s song titled Heartbreak, Father Amos Mahendere and Tinoungudza by Dorcas Moyo, among others, used their voices to encourage people to shun this evil practice, especially youths.
Enzo Ishall has joined the bandwagon as the fight against drug and substance abuse continues with his latest offering released on Wednesday titled Kanganwa, a gospel track where the musician chronicles the consequences of drugs on mental health, especially crystal meth popularly known as guka on the streets.
The song encourages people to look up to God for healing from the grip of substance abuse while reminding the devil to desist from misleading them.
Artistes that have had courage to come clear about their involvement with drugs include Saintfloew who went to South Africa last year for rehab while Takura opened up recently that he nearly quit music due to drug abuse and mental health issues. Their stories have inspired others fighting similar battles.
A United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund report titled, Understanding Drug Use and Substance Abuse by Zimbabwean Adolescents and Young People, cited substance abuse as the most severe public health and socio-pathological threat facing adolescents and young people in the country, adding that it has a long-term impact on their well-being.
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The report was published in October last year.
“Alcohol, drug and substance abuse in order of consumption are cannabis 67%, cough syrup 47%, crystal meth 36%, illegal alcohol 31%, pharmaceuticals 13%, crack 3%, cocaine powder 3% and heroin 2%,” part of the report read.
It also said that alcohol, drug and substance abuse was higher in urban areas than rural areas due to stronger community child care systems and closer parental care that prevails in rural communities.
