MASHONALAND West Province has set sights on raising US$250 000 to intensify the fight against drug and substance abuse.

The ambitious initiative will finance the construction of rehabilitation centres and support wide-ranging community interventions, enhancing prevention and awareness programmes..

“Fighting drug and substance abuse requires more than awareness and policy, it demands resources, programmes, and community resilience. We must invest in rehabilitation centres and community-based care initiatives, Youth empowerment programmes that create real opportunities, counselling services and psychosocial support, education and public awareness campaigns, training of law enforcement and health workers, and economic empowerment initiatives to address the root causes. As a province, we cannot win this fight with punishment alone. Our young people need hope, not handcuffs. All of these efforts require substantial financial, technical, and material support,” the Minister of State for Mashonaland West Provincial Affairs and Devolution, Honourable Marian Chombo noted.

The Minister of Health and Child Care, Dr Douglas Mombeshora, who was the guest of honour at the event, reaffirmed the urgency of the initiative, saying the fundraising target is critical in resourcing the nation’s drug abuse response.

“This event comes on the backdrop of the high-level resource mobilisation engagement, which was officially launched in July by the President. This engagement is a comprehensive multi-sectoral approach which aims to address drug and substance abuse and effectively mitigate its challenges to national security, public health, social stability and development,” he said.

“Today’s event focuses on the Resource Mobilisation and Economic Strengthening Pillar which is one of the seven pillars underpinning the National and Provincial Drug and Substance Abuse Committee. This pillar plays a crucial role in combating drug and substance abuse through securing funding to support prevention, treatment and rehabilitation programmes. The pillar’s mandate is mobilisation of financial resources, per personnel, infrastructure and other services, harnessing the critical mass of our traditional leaders, faith-based organisations, captains of industry, bankers and communities at large. Traditional leaders and communities are the first and last responders to disasters and emergencies, hence their involvement is critical in the fight against drug and substance abuse,” he said.

The meeting was attended by various stakeholders, including government ministries, corporate partners and development agencies, with the end of this month being the deadline for initial feedback against the target.