Zimbabwe grapples with substance abuse problems in pandemic

In Zimbabwe, the COVID-19 pandemic has driven up mental health problems caused by substance abuse

HARARE, Zimbabwe -- Tucked in a corner of a dimly-lit hallway of a rundown block of flats in Zimbabwe’s Mbare township, a few drug users desperate for recovery prayed and encouraged each other to reduce their habits. They passed around a plate of cookies.

Among those in the support group was Adrias Chidemba, 28, who used to sell fruits and vegetables on Harare's streets and was saving to set up a small kiosk.

But then COVID-19 hit and the months-long lockdown shattered his dreams.

“I took to drugs and alcohol to numb the stress,” he said, adding that his parents “took me as a madman and kicked me out of the house.”