Substance abuse is not a marginal worry in Zimbabwe. An Afrobarometer dispatch published on 27 January 2025 reported that 79% of Zimbabweans say drug abuse is widespread in their communities, and 56% say it is very widespread. Three in four (75%) believe ordinary citizens have a role in fighting it.
The same survey shows who people trust to help: schools (71%), family members (69%) and religious leaders (61%) rank above the police (50%).
The treatment gap
CITE reported in July 2025 on the findings of Parliament's Portfolio Committee on Youth Empowerment, Development and Vocational Training after its verification visits. Matabeleland North and South had no drug rehabilitation centres at all. At Gwanda Provincial Hospital only 33 of 70 recommended mental health posts were filled, and at Ingutsheni Central Hospital in Bulawayo 565 patients were in a hospital built for 708 as of 24 June 2024, with shortages of essential medicines.
What Takura Trust is doing
Our project Developing a Rehabilitation Farm in Binga, Zimbabwe builds the BICA rehabilitation farm, where young people recover through clinical and psychosocial care alongside agricultural training and leave with a livelihood plan. A second project, Recovery Aftercare and Skills-to-Work Pathways, keeps graduates supported after discharge. Because trust in schools and families is high, both projects work with them from the start.
Donors, partners, investors and clients are invited to take part in developing the facility at www.bica.org.zw.
