ZOU takes Drug & Substance Abuse Management training to a new level
Zimbabwe Open University Vice Chancellor Professor Paul Henry Gundani, officiated at Drug & Substance Abuse Management graduation ceremony which was held at the University’s 2nd Floor Garden. The Drug & Substance Abuse Management short course training which culminated to certification ran from the 26th to 30th August 2024 in the 2nd Floor Boardroom at Corner House. Workshop presentations and discussions were built on the theme; “Managing an environment infested with drug and illicit substances”.
ZOU Vice Chancellor (standing) addresses workshop participants during the Drug and Substance Abuse Management Certification Ceremony on 30 August 2024 in the ZOU 2nd Floor Gardern, he is flanked by (left) Airforce of Zimbabwe Wing Commander Sipiwe Mukumbira and (right) Dean, Faculty of Social Sciences Dr. Godfrey Tsvuura
In his address to participants, Professor Gundani welcomed and thanked the participants for choosing to be trained by ZOU on this important and topical issue that is affecting our country. He implored that drugs and illicit substances are destroying the lives of both our youth and adults, putting their future into great darkness. Both the production and service sectors have been affected by the same scourge. The use of drugs and illicit substances is making their lives vulnerable and prone to destruction. He called upon participants to go and raise awareness in all their sphere of lives to save a generation and the country at large,
“I therefore expect you to go and be ambassadors. Go and raise awareness in families, communities, workplaces, in the media and in the church. Let’s use all the opportunities that we have to spread the word. We all have a duty to serve a generation and the country at large.” He charged.
Participants follow proceedings while Dr Tsvuura delivers his welcome remarks
40 participants from critical sectors undertook the course, (23 male and 17 female) of which 34 are predominantly from the Airforce of Zimbabwe (thus 12 female and 22 male participants) and these consist of 9 nurses, 8 teachers, 8 social workers, 4 military police, 3 health promotion officers and 2 psychologists. There were also 6 participants who were from various organisations which include Axis Solutions, Department of Environmental Health, Psychiatric Unit and International Commission for the Prevention of Alcohol and Drug Dependence Zimbabwe (ICPA).
The short course was mulled after the Government had declared war against drug and substance abuse and ZOU as a government arm could not fold hands and came up with an immediate intervention strategy. As a public university founded and mandated to lead in social transformation and in line with Education 5.0, ZOU is complementing national efforts to fight the scourge through its well-established Regional Campuses, located in all the ten provinces of Zimbabwe where the training is also offered.
The short course equips the participants with various theoretical and practical frameworks on drug and substance abuse as it covers a bouquet of topics such as Drug & substance abuse awareness, counselling & prevention; Availability of drugs and illicit substances; Why do humans abuse drugs and illicit substances; Development of addiction; Dependence and addiction; Counselling & Treatment models; Rehabilitation process; Multi-sectoral approach to managing drugs and illicit substances; and Role plays. At the end of the training participants will be empowered with a certificate of competence in basic Drug and Substance Abuse, to go and assist their communities.
The certification ceremony was graced by the Airforce of Zimbabwe Wing Commander Sipiwe Mukumbira; Claudette Lloyd a seasoned Community Development practitioner since 1998 specializing in Monitoring & Evaluation, who has worked with the UN for 8 years currently she is with a local NGO providing Mental Health & Psychosocial support (MHPSS) across Zimbabwe; Professor Shumirai Nyota, Dean Faculty of Arts, Culture and Heritage Studies, Dr Eurita Nyamanhare, Director, Social Innovation and Community Service among other distinguished guests.
Drug and Substance Abuse Management Certification Ceremony in pictures
