Drug dependence is a persistent problem that affects people from all walks of life, but it is mostly predominant in helpless groups such as the homeless, youth and poverty stricken. Harare’s homeless are the most vulnerable to the devastating effects of drug dependence. Illegal alcohol and cough syrups are some of the many toxic drugs that have ensnared Harare’s homeless to addiction living them vulnerable to health complications.

Numerous Harare’s homeless are abusing toxic drugs such as illegal alcohol (musombodhiya, kachasu, tumbwa) and cough syrups (broncleer and benylin) among other drugs. The illegal alcohol and cough syrups being abused are composed of dangerous chemicals which pose serious health risks.

“Consuming illegal alcohol such as tumbwa leads to significant health problems such as respiratory failure, seizures and organ damage” stated Dr. Marinda from Parirenyatwa Hospital, Harare. “This is because illegal alcohol contains harmful chemicals such as acetone, isopropyl alcohol and methanol and many more”

Similarly, cough syrups also pose a danger to the health of individuals that abuse them. These syrups contain codeine which is an opioid for curing mild to moderate pain and coughs. However, it has been discovered that syrups containing codeine can be used as stimulants and mechanisms for stress relief.

David, a pharmacist in Harare detailed that; “Although cough syrups are used to cure diseases, if consumed to excess they serious physical and mental damages which can even ultimately lead to death.”

The homeless are particularly vulnerable to drug dependence because of their deplorable living conditions, lack of awareness, lack of care from people and absence of proper healthcare. Most of these people tend to view drugs as a source of escapisms from the harsh realities of their lives. Drugs become a sedative.

One of Harare’s Homeless commended that; “Panenge pakaipa, tinenge takatotsimewa, ndozviripo, tikasadaro life yacho hainakidze” proving that drugs have become instruments for shielding themselves from the realities of life.

The drug dependence crisis of Harare’s Homeless is not only peculiar to them but it is a serious a societal issue as well. Numerous youths and people in Zimbabwe have become victims of drug abuse, especially those living in poor conditions. A recent article in the Zimbabwean Independent (Nyamuziwa, 2024) suggests that due to high levels of unemployment and the collapsing economy, young people particularly in urban areas resort to the abuse of drugs.

Numerous initiatives have been put in place in Zimbabwe to combat the problem of drug dependence but there remains a gap in helping the homeless. The most recent notable initiative is the establishment of an Inter-Ministerial Committee to address drug and substance abuse in marginalized communities by the Ministry of Home Affairs and Cultural Heritage, led by Hon. Kazembe Kazembe.

The readily available toxic drugs such as illegal alcohol and cough syrups remain a danger to the health of Harare’s homeless and many young people. It is imperative to provide rehabilitation and intervention programs so as to curb the problem.