Hatcliffe Residents and Pageant Stars Unite Against Drug and Inhalant Abuse

Hatcliffe residents, local leaders, and pageant stars united in a major community march to raise awareness about drug and inhalant abuse (image source)

Residents of Hatcliffe took to the streets on Friday in a powerful display of unity against substance abuse, staging a major community march and awareness campaign to address rising drug use and a disturbing trend of youths inhaling or ingesting shoe polish to get high. The event, held at the Hatcliffe Community Hall, brought together parents, youth groups, churches, schools, local officials, police, civic organisations, and representatives from the Ms Budiriro pageant. Their presence helped amplify prevention messages and reduce stigma around seeking help.

Pageant organisers, represented by Tobias Kusano, and models Anesu Sukim, Ruvimbo Chieza, and Georgina Tiffany Tafa took part in outreach activities, engaging directly with young people through drama performances, door-to-door awareness visits, and open discussions surrounding peer pressure and mental health. Their participation drew additional media attention and sparked broader community dialogue on substance abuse. Organisers said the march was prompted by alarming reports that some youths in Hatcliffe have turned to inhaling shoe polish and other solvents to achieve intoxication—a highly dangerous practice that can cause brain damage, respiratory failure, or death. The march emphasised that substance abuse is not a moral failure but a community-wide public health and social challenge requiring coordinated intervention.

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Addressing the gathering, Harare Mayor Jacob Mafume pledged increased municipal support, including mapping drug hotspots, regulating informal suppliers, and expanding rehabilitation and youth engagement programmes. “The fight against drugs is a critical issue here in Hatcliffe and across the city,” he said, stressing that prevention must be linked to recreation, education, and employment opportunities. Community leader Leonard Zimunya described the situation as “disheartening,” noting that inhalant abuse reflects deeper social and economic frustrations. He urged the integration of awareness campaigns with tangible opportunities such as skills training, sports, and mentorship.

Police and health officials also participated, pledging to strengthen coordination between enforcement and public education. Health workers used the event to highlight the importance of early detection and treatment, urging parents to monitor warning signs including mood changes, school withdrawal, and unexplained missing valuables. The campaign featured placards reading “Our Children, Our Future — Say No to Drugs” and “Stop the Shoe Polish Trend,” along with school drama club performances showing the social consequences of addiction. Organisers announced follow-up activities, including school visits, door-to-door counselling, and the launch of a community hotline.

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Tobias Kusano said pageant platforms can play an important civic role. “Beauty with purpose means showing up for communities in crisis, and right now, the drug crisis is destroying dreams,” he said. Models Sukim, Chieza, and Tafa encouraged young people to seek help without shame, describing it as an act of courage. The event concluded with a collective commitment from residents, churches, and youth leaders to sustain ongoing outreach and monitoring efforts. Organisers urged national and municipal authorities to fund rehabilitation centres, integrate substance-abuse education into schools, and approach drug addiction as a public health priority rather than solely a criminal issue.