By Leeroy K Willie
From collecting bank notes in a commuter omnibus to no drugs, former Hwindi campaigns against substance abuse.
The problem of drug abuse is taking a toll on communities across the country. While efforts have been made to combat the problem, the illicit drug trade continues to thrive, with devastating consequences for users and their families.
In the dusty streets of Mabvuku, the rate at which youths are engaging in drug and substance abuse is alarming, and it has pushed a man who is a commuter omnibus conductor by profession to start an organization that fights the use of drugs and substance abuse.
Usually conductors, or mahwindi, as they are affectionately known in the streets, are said to be the pioneers of drug and substance abuse, but with George Kutyauripo, it is a different story as he has started an organization that fights the use of drugs in the community.
George Kutyauripo’s organization, which he formed in 2015 and is called the Anti-Drug Advocacy Forum, was established after so many youths from Mabvuku lost their lives due to drug and substance abuse.
Kutyauripo was motivated by his desire to make the community a better place for everyone by eliminating the issue of drug and substance abuse.
Drug and substance abuse has become the norm in the community, and it has claimed the lives of far too many young people. The issue contributes significantly to the rise of crime in the country, as youths will seek money to purchase drugs, leading them to commit crimes.
George bemoaned the state of the youths in his community of Mabvuku due to the issue of illicit drugs. “As a community, we are losing so many talented young people in every aspect of life due to the use of drugs and substance abuse. Recently, a very talented soccer player passed away, and it is believed that the drugs that he took contributed so much to his health deterioration,” he said.
In an interview with the executive member of the Anti-Drug Advocacy Forum Mr. Owen Chakari, he saluted Kutyauripo for defying the norm that commuter omnibus conductors are the drug pioneers by setting an example that everyone has the power to eliminate drugs and substance abuse in the community.
“Mainly people say conductors and kombi drivers are the ones that encourage youths to engage in drugs as they will be looking for confidence in their work,” said Chakari.
He praised Kutyauripo for creating employment for himself and other youths in the organization who work in different departments, though he cries out about the lack of funding in the organization.
A parent who spoke to this publication under anonymity and said, “Mr. Kutyauripo is doing a good job. I approached him when my son was using drugs, and he was violent to the point of destroying property whenever people asked him to remain calm. Mr. Kutyauripo facilitated his admission to rehabilitation, that is when he stopped using drugs,” she explained.
However, Mr. Kutyauripo clearly stated the difficulties he faces in his fight against drug and substance abuse. “I have made numerous appeals to those in positions of power to help the Anti-Drug Advocacy Forum obtain a rehabilitation center. When youths are brought to us, we don’t have a center where we can house them and monitor the progress of what our team is doing; as a result, most youths fail to overcome their drug addiction because they return to the same community where they got it from.”
