Families clutched a desperate lifeline at a drug rehab center's latest intake. The Angel of Hope Drug Rehabilitation Centre in Mbare saw its fifth admission period overwhelmed with applicants from across Zimbabwe, as families brought relatives struggling with addiction. First Lady Auxillia Mnangagwa oversaw the registration at Stodart Hall, where scenes of intense emotion unfolded. Some patients arrived violently or in handcuffs, attempting to smuggle in drugs like crystal meth and marijuana, while others were escorted by determined parents, including some in wheelchairs.
The First Lady outlined the program's structure, promising parental consultations within two weeks. A poignant testimony came from veteran broadcaster Oscar Pambuka, a substance abuse survivor who credited the initiative for his recovery. He warned against the stigma that drives relapse, detailing how addiction damages the body and requires personal commitment to overcome.
During a question session, attendees asked for broader parental education on early intervention and raised specific cases, like a wheelchair using child battling addiction. Personal stories highlighted the crisis's depth. One mother described her thirty-year-old son's abusive, sleepless nights and the relief she now felt. Another thanked the center for transforming her child from a community laughingstock into a source of hope. A brother shared his heartbreak over his sister's descent into theft and violence against her own children.
Families recounted common tragedies: stolen possessions, shattered talent, and constant fear. Many expressed profound gratitude for the free, structured help, seeing it as a final chance to reclaim their loved ones from destruction. The overwhelming turnout and emotional testimonials reinforced the center's role as a critical refuge, asserting that recovery remains possible even in the most broken circumstances.
The First Lady outlined the program's structure, promising parental consultations within two weeks. A poignant testimony came from veteran broadcaster Oscar Pambuka, a substance abuse survivor who credited the initiative for his recovery. He warned against the stigma that drives relapse, detailing how addiction damages the body and requires personal commitment to overcome.
During a question session, attendees asked for broader parental education on early intervention and raised specific cases, like a wheelchair using child battling addiction. Personal stories highlighted the crisis's depth. One mother described her thirty-year-old son's abusive, sleepless nights and the relief she now felt. Another thanked the center for transforming her child from a community laughingstock into a source of hope. A brother shared his heartbreak over his sister's descent into theft and violence against her own children.
Families recounted common tragedies: stolen possessions, shattered talent, and constant fear. Many expressed profound gratitude for the free, structured help, seeing it as a final chance to reclaim their loved ones from destruction. The overwhelming turnout and emotional testimonials reinforced the center's role as a critical refuge, asserting that recovery remains possible even in the most broken circumstances.
