Chivi South Community Demands Tougher Action on Drug Peddlers

Residents of Chivi South are demanding tougher policing, faster prosecutions and expanded rehabilitation services as drug peddling and substance abuse threaten young lives and community stability (image source)

Chivi South — Residents of Chivi South have intensified pressure on law enforcement and local authorities to take decisive action against an escalating drug-peddling crisis that community leaders say is destroying social cohesion and endangering young lives.

The demand was made during a packed community meeting at the ward hall on Tuesday night, where elders, religious leaders, teachers, parents and youth representatives united behind calls for tougher policing, faster prosecutions and a coordinated prevention strategy that combines enforcement with rehabilitation. The meeting followed a string of recent arrests and several reported overdoses that residents say have left families traumatised. “Our children are being stolen from us one sachet at a time. We need action that stops dealers, not just words,” one community elder said.

Residents reported that illicit substances, including crystal methamphetamine and cheap locally produced drugs, are now increasingly visible at trading centres and along commuter routes. Teachers spoke of rising absenteeism and worsening discipline in schools, while health workers confirmed an increase in drug-related admissions at local clinics.

The community’s demands centred on three priorities: stronger local policing through increased patrols and targeted operations; swift investigations and prosecutions to deter repeat offenders; and expanded prevention and rehabilitation efforts through youth outreach, counselling services and NGO partnerships.

Local councillors pledged to escalate the matter to district authorities and to lobby for additional police resources. “We will not allow Chivi South to become a haven for dealers. These resolutions will be taken to district command,” one councillor said. Police acknowledged the scale of the problem but cited limited resources as a major constraint. A senior officer said recent arrests had been made but stressed that successful prosecutions rely heavily on community cooperation and witness testimony.

Community leaders warned that enforcement alone will not solve the crisis. Youth representatives pointed to unemployment, school dropouts and the lack of recreational facilities as key drivers of drug abuse. “If there are no jobs and no hope, young people look for escape. We must create real alternatives,” a youth organiser said.

Health professionals called for the urgent expansion of addiction support services. The nearest rehabilitation facilities are located far from Chivi South, placing additional strain on families. NGOs attending the meeting offered to support mobile counselling services and community awareness campaigns, subject to funding and local coordination.

The meeting ended with resolutions to launch a neighbourhood watch programme, establish an anonymous tip hotline and submit a petition to the district prosecutor calling for the prioritisation of drug-related cases. A multi-stakeholder taskforce bringing together police, health workers, educators and civil society is also set to oversee a six-month action plan. Residents vowed to reconvene in 30 days to assess progress, stressing that they now expect measurable results, not assurances.