Wonders never cease in Zimbabwe. One of the latest surprising actions by the government is that they have declared war on drug abuse. But the strange part is, they seem to be leaving out the main culprits—drug dealers and drug lords. Instead, the focus is on those who are using the drugs, which is being enforced by a police force that many feel is not up to the task. This police force, often seen as working for the ruling party, should be reformed to better serve the public.

The government, led by ZANU PF, is once again targeting the wrong group. They are only looking at the drug users, which is just a symptom of a much bigger problem. If we look closely, Zimbabwe has one of the highest rates of drug abuse in the southern African region. The youth are the main group involved, and it’s no surprise why. Zimbabwe also has one of the highest unemployment rates in the region. It seems that when people are out of work and feel hopeless, they turn to drugs as an escape.

This situation is not happening by accident. Many believe that Zimbabwe’s government has caused this problem by failing to address the root issues. The economic problems in the country are making it hard for young people to find jobs, and this is pushing them into drug abuse. Instead of dealing with these deeper issues, the government is focusing on punishing those who are already suffering.

Some actions have been put in place to go after the youth involved in drugs, but this approach seems unfair. Why not target the drug lords and those responsible for bringing these illegal substances into the country? Many people believe that the government’s focus on drug users is just a way to distract from its own failings. The root causes of the drug problem, like unemployment and lack of opportunities, are being ignored.

What is not being said by the government is that it is partly responsible for the drug abuse crisis. Over the years, ZANU PF has been accused of corruption and looting the country’s wealth. The resources that should have been used to improve people’s lives and provide jobs have been misused. This has left many people in poverty, with few options to improve their situation. This government’s focus seems to be more on staying in power than on fixing the problems that affect ordinary Zimbabweans.

The ruling party has been in power for decades, and during that time, the country’s problems have only gotten worse. Many believe that the government has lost its legitimacy. They argue that the recent elections were not fair and that the real winner, a more transparent and accountable opposition party, was denied victory. This opposition party, which had the people’s support, promised better governance, service delivery, and respect for the constitution. However, its chance to bring about change was taken away.

ZANU PF continues to violate the country’s laws, and its actions are seen as more about controlling the population than improving their lives. While the government blames the youth for using drugs, it is turning a blind eye to those who are smuggling and selling these drugs. In the end, it seems like another way for the government to avoid addressing its own failures.

The focus on drug abuse is important, but the government needs to do more than just punish drug users. They need to address the reasons why young people are turning to drugs in the first place. If more jobs were available and if the government used the country’s resources for the benefit of the people, the drug problem might not be as big as it is now. But as long as the government continues to ignore the root causes, the drug crisis will likely continue.

For now, many Zimbabweans remain frustrated. They see the government’s actions as missing the mark and failing to address the real issues that are affecting the country. Until there is a real change, the problems will likely remain, and the government will keep pointing fingers at the wrong targets.