ADAAZ

Anti Drug Abuse Association of Zimbabwe (ADAAZ) was fouded in 1998 as a result of long standing deliberations spearheaded by six ‘A’ Level graduates in Harare who had just participated in a Youth Against Drug Abuse schools initiative. Organisation has been registered as a trust (Anti Drug Abuse Zimbabwe Trust)

Drug abuse in Zimbabwe, as anywhere in the world, has been in a climb in the last 20 years. Although there is insufficient data, recent reports show that there is a shift from cannabis to "hard drugs" abuse also to over the counter drugs and inhalants (petrol, glue, and aerosols).  The drug culture has proved to be the most fast changing and fast expanding over the past years. Need is there to keep strong, non-stop and effective prevention measures in progress if any nation is to stand against the drug dilemma.

ADAAZ has established relations with organisations locally and internationally with the hope of creating a co-ordinated effort in fighting drug abuse. ADAAZ's strategic aim is to take on grassroots work.

Vision

To make a difference in peoples’ lives by leading to a drug free community.

Mission

• We exist to be a leading research, rehabilitation and information institution in the field of drug abuse, co-ordinating with local and international stakeholders in lobbying and executing demand reduction programmes.

• We look forward to a well-informed and educated Zimbabwean society, able and willing to deal with drug abuse problems at both community and individual levels.

• We aim to create and promote drug free learning institutions while assisting and encouraging families and individuals affected by the drug dilemma, towards good health.

• We seek to promote public health in all sectors and participate in initiatives directed at improving peoples’ living standards.

• We strive to spearhead policy formulation on substance abuse in our country.

• We stand to carry out our objectives in observance of all ethical considerations with a first class service to all.

• And committed to our mission with all available resources.

Objectives

• To establish a Rehabilitation, Research and Information Centre that will collaborate with other stakeholders in strengthening the fight against drug abuse.

• To train counsellors and promote projects designed to bring about betterment in the lives of Zimbabweans and alleviate drug abuse.

• To assist people with drug problems and their immediate families through the provision of support services such as; counselling, economic empowerment, information and education.

Activities of ADAAZ

1. A march in April 1999
2. A youth training workshop for church organisations
3. Exhibitions at the Harare Agricultural Show, Youth Forum and the Zimbabwe International Book Fair 2000.
4. A major highlight in the organisation's history being the host of the first-ever Drug Exposition in July 2000.
5. Also in the year 2000, the organisation received support from the SADC Drug Control Committee to undertake a three-month programme in Harare and Mashonaland East. It held two consultation workshops with community leaders in Marondera and Murewa and two consultation workshops with Primary and High School teachers in Harare.
6. Research on the lives of children living on the street and their abuse of drugs. This research is still being debated on different forums as it has proved to have uncovered many things about drug abuse on the streets.
7. In 2001 successfully completed two surveys; one on children on the street and another on the magnitude and nature of recreational facilities in Harare.
8. An important occurrence in 2001 was the hosting of the NGO Network Meeting in Southern Africa with support from the World Health Organisation. The ADAAZ was elected secretary to the new network.
9. Further to that ADAAZ conducted a six-month radio programme at a local station which offered information and education on drug abuse to the audience.
10. As a follow up to the 2000 SADC Drug Demand Reduction project in 2001 ADAAZ conducted a Dry Out Camp, Training for Community Leaders and a schools Peer Training Workshop.
11. In 2002 ADAAZ hosted a Consultative and Training Workshop on the Welfare of Children and Drug Abuse in collaboration with UNICEF and the Ministry of Health and Child Welfare.
12. In 2002 again it held one Dry Out Camp in Mashonaland East and a Caregivers Training Workshop for community health workers.
13. In the year 2003, the ADAAZ continued with its now annual Dry Out Camps in Manicaland as well as a Peer Training Workshop for in school and out of school youths in Mutare in collaboration with the ZNFPC Youth Centre, Mutare. To that effect an effective group has been set up in Mutare to pursue the objectives of ADAAZ. The group comprises Five young people
14. Yarukai Life Skills Project Phase 1 (2007) supported by WHO – Development of Training Manual
15. Yarukai Life Skills Project Phase 2 – Current: Training in 3 Universities in Zimbabw
16. Drug Free Hope Project – Current: Economic Empowerment for Young People, supported by UN Habitat.
17. On a day to day basis, the ADAAZ continues to offer counselling services to any persons affected by drug abuse and offers a referral service to other medical institutions where necessary.

Message

Public and corporate response to our initiative has been commendable. The magnitude of people seeking help on drug abuse keeps rising by the day. As an Association we feel compelled to undertake the role of a national and community based organisation on drug abuse. To add a big hand to efforts directed at rescuing Zimbabwe’s rapidly deteriorating drug situation.

Prevention of drug abuse at all levels and among all generations requires a multi-concerted and co-ordinated effort hence the input of donor agencies, the government, NGOs and the public, is invaluable. This document presents an insight into the activities of the Anti Drug Abuse Association of Zimbabwe. We hope that through our initiatives, prescribed in this document and the strategies described in this statement, it has helped in grasping a better understanding of our goals. As well as give a better insight to the drug situation in Zimbabwe. Furthermore we hope that this knowledge will also motivate other stakeholders to contribute to the fight against drug abuse in Zimbabwe.

We hope that we will be able to spread this concept in other parts of the Southern African Region because we believe a Drug-Free Generation is not beyond reach.

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