The ManicaPost
Catherine Murombedzi —
THERE is a trend among some youths today where one goes to a friend’s place for a sleep-over.
On further asking a 16-year-old who is familiar with the sleep-overs, a different story was told.
“I leave my parents home with permission that I am going to a classmate’s house for a weekend sleep-over. Most of the times, I do not even go there. They can phone to check the authenticity of the stuff, but mummy loses big time. The given number belongs to a group aunt who answers pretending to be my friend’s mom. You can never beat us in the game, we are major players,” said the girl who cannot be named as she is a minor.
I guess times are changing, but in the 80s we would visit a friend’s house and return home during the day.
Sleep-overs were unheard of. Being an old school parent I guard against such new threats and would not allow my child be it a boy or girl who is a minor a sleep-over.
Drug abuse is a common issue among youths and drugs have been used to enhance sexual prowess in some instances.
The 16-year-old mentioned above said they engage in pool parties where group sex is common.
“At first we use condoms, however when we are high, who cares. This is a group sex by the pool deck and by midnight the condoms will be used up, but the drive will now be at a peak. There is no looking back, live now, tomorrow who cares,” said the minor.
The youth admitted to sleeping with anyone available for the orgy.
“Who said sex entails love, it has to be enjoyed, so we have pool deck sex parties at hired out premises,” the minor revealed.
The risk of HIV infection and other sexual transmitted infections becomes high when under the influence of the so-called recreational drugs.
For youths who are monied, they use tik, cocaine and whoonga.
For those on the bottom of the economic ladder, they use broncho, marijuana and any cheap mixtures of spirit residue e.g. musombodia.
Most young people get into drug abuse through peer pressure in social settings and end up being addicted.
The recreational drugs are known for other harmful physical and psychological effects on the user.
They are also a key driver of fuelling the spread of HIV.
As seen above, unsafe sex is practised at youth parties and who knows they may even inject some of the drugs.
Some youths have lost their marbles through drug misuse.
For a youth on any life medication, use of recreational drugs has fatal consequences as the life saving drugs maybe rendered useless.
“People on ARV medication or any life treatment, the taking of unprescribed drugs is not recommended. The interactions between the medicines can lead to under dose of the life medication or even an overdose. Some of this may be fatal,” said a junior doctor at a provincial hospital.
“There is little research on drug misuse and disease progression. It is, however, clear that abuse leads to a weekend immune system leading to opportunistic infections, “ said the doctor.
Mrs Tariro Makanga Chikumbirike, Southern Africa AIDS Information Dissemination (SAfAIDS) communications director, said charity begins at home. She said schools and Government policy strengthen the pillar.
“Interventions should be at all levels. At family level, parents need to seriously discuss the dangers with their children. Let us catch them young,” said Makanga-Chikumbirike.
She pointed out that arrests must be made where the law would have been broken.
“Government needs to put in place control measures that deter drug lords from availing these drugs. We need to see arrests on a regular basis because as of now nothing seems to be happening,” she said.
She said schools have a role to play too.
“Schools must also do their part especially with the new curriculum. If we do not do something, surely the young generation will perish,” said the communications guru.
Youths need to take responsibility for their actions.
Have youths focus on what they want to be after college.
Surely sound judgement is lost when under the influence of drugs.
Like dogs, the pool deck parties are breading an uncouth and unbecoming citizen.
As rightly pointed out by Makanga-Chikumbirike, arrests need to be seen where the law on drug supply is broken.
As parents and guardians, let us not allow some of the risky behaviour under the guise of modernity.
Better be labelled old school and guard children against some of the risky behaviour.
With the new school curriculum where Education for Living is back (though not examinable) with a bang, we can see benefits in the near future.
Fruitful year to all readers of this column! If you have a burning topic, send it in for discussion, it is free.
For feedback: [email protected]
