Mbare families of drug users call for relaxing of protocol at rehab centers

Staff Writer

Families of drug users attending a Zimbabwe Civil Liberties and Drug Network in Mbare have called for relaxing of protocols at rehabilitation centres.

Fanuel Kapuka indicated that while rehabs like Mbare are supposed to be free, people are being made to pay US$150 upon presentation at the site like Stodard Hall rehab.

“People do not have that kind of money and it is becoming prohibitive to people who use drugs,” he said.

Other users said police have become complicit in the crisis by demanding bribes to free those caught with harmful substances.

Several other drug users called for proliferation of recreation centres in Mbare to lessern the burden of drug addiction.

Kudakwashe Madzima, the ZCLDN Mbare support group leader urged users to contact the organisation for assistance on rehab services which are free.

“We also call upon people using drugs to seek medical attention and HIV testing.

“In addition, we are calling upon government to support us with self help projects like chicken rearing, horticulture and piggery.

“This helps people to keep drug users busy and occupied,” he said.

Families of drug users also spoke at length about need to stump out continuing stigma and discrimination at health centres.

After a drug user will have been rehabilitated, families attending the meeting in Mbare urged government to avail safe houses for the survivors.