In a collaborative effort to combat drug and substance abuse, Manicaland State University of Applied Sciences (MSUAS) partnered with the Zimbabwe Republic Police- Victim Friendly Unit (VFU) at an institutional-wide educational pubic lecture held at Fernhill campus recently.
The comprehensive lecture was designed to systematically sensitize, educate, and insulate both staff and students from the devastating consequences linked to illicit substance abuse.
The lecture also provided an extensive forensic overview of the illicit drug market currently in circulation within local and regional networks.
The VFU experts unpacked the chemical composition, street classifications, and severe health risks associated with dangerous narcotics, alongside a critical exposé on the proliferation of highly toxic, unregistered, and counterfeit over-the-counter medicines.
Reflecting on the strategic importance of the joint initiative, MSUAS Pro Vice-Chancellor, Professor Upenyu Guyo, reaffirmed the University’s proactive commitment to maintaining a highly secured, healthy, and productive environment conducive to holistic intellectual advancement and human capital development.
“As the university, we remain committed to fostering a safe, healthy, and productive academic environment for both our students as well as our staff,” said Prof Guyo. “Drug and substance abuse continues to pose serious social, academic, and health challenges, particularly among young people including communities at large. Hence, the university maintains a firm focus on mental health, peer-to-peer intervention strategies, and close communication with regulated rehabilitation frameworks to ensure affected individuals receive structured, standard-compliant support.”
Pointing to a national crisis, ZRP Assistant Commissioner Dr. Matilda Singende cautioned that drug abuse stretches far beyond the user as it creates severe socio-economic friction within communities.
“Safeguarding the wellbeing of our community is fundamental to national development. Therefore, overcoming the crisis of drug and abuse requires a collective effort. As ZRP our role is to support academic institutions like MSUAS through this campaign as it ensures that students are protected, households are preserved from the trauma of addiction, and the nation’s future leaders can thrive in a safe, healthy, and productive space,” said Dr Singende.
The intensive public lecture transitioned into an immersive, highly interactive plenary session, where students and staff actively engaged the visiting law enforcement panel.
As the university celebrates a milestone decade of academic excellence, it remains committed to ensuring the campus functions as a secure sanctuary dedicated to scholarly growth, character development, and the advancement of transformative human capital.
