WOMEN AND ILLEGAL DRUG USE IN ZIMBABWE: CAUSES AND EFFECTS

Abstract

Illegal drug and substance use has lately become an enormous social problem in this modern era of globalization, being prevalent in both developed and developing countries. Illegal drug use has been treated as a masculine phenomenon while the lived experiences of women who use drugs were swept under the carpet. This article uses a mixed-methods research approach to explore the causes and effects of illegal drug use among women in Zimbabwe. A total of 180 respondents were sampled using simple random methods from two provinces, Harare and Mutare. In addition to 180 women who used drugs, ten key informants were purposively sampled for in-depth interviews. A number of determinants were established that push women into illegal drug use activities. These include poverty, unemployment, peer pressure and commercial sexual transactions. The study established that women who use drugs are exposed to various harmful practices after intoxication. There were reported cases of violence, exposure to sexually transmitted diseases, family and health neglect among other effects. The article concludes by suggesting a number of recommendations in order to reduce the incidences of drug and substance use by women.