Drug and substance abuse has grown in Zimbabwe, with jobless youths mostly in poor communities falling prey to the scourge.

Highly addictive drugs such as crystal meth and cocaine have become widely available in most of the country’s high-density suburbs.

Taking to all social media pages, Saintfloew’s fans are still having conversations about the good decision he made for admitting to taking drugs.

Zimbabwean singer and songwriter, Saintfloew, born Tawanda Mambo (26) was interviewed by Star FM and revealed that he was working on quitting some of the substances he had been taking.

He left Harare last week to check into a specialist facility in South Africa which deals with drug and substance addiction.

It’s a brave and welcome move for the musician and his handlers to confront and conquer a demon which has left considerable damage across the country and the world.

 As a celebrated Zim Hip-Hop artist, he has experienced first-hand how substance abuse can hinder creativity, compromise performances, and impede professional growth

Saintfloew’s mother, Ebenezer Mambo, attributed her son’s drug problems to his difficult upbringing.

“We lost his father when they were still very young and there was no man in the house to whip my son into line. I tried my best to give him a life, but there are some times where a father is needed in the upbringing of children. I have never doubted my son’s intelligence, but I was worried when he continued pursuing music. He ended up taking drugs and it pains me a lot,” she said.

Saintfloew said: “It is not like the pressures of music cause artistes to take drugs, but before we became artistes, we had nothing to do, and we had all the time to take drugs. Now if it is regret or moving on, that is what I am working on.”

In his interview, Saintfloew said his music sound was inspired by Souljah Love and Dobba Donn; ironically the two artistes had incidences of drugs and substance abuse. The late Soul Jah Love was a drug addict and Dobba Don is reported to be struggling with drugs and this has turned him into a destitute.

At the last Nama awards ceremony where Saintfloew was billed to perform, he arrived late prompting the organisers, Jacaranda Cultural and Media Corporation, to use a body double.

Recently, Dj Tricky Dee was amongst a host of local wheel spinners who participated in a drug and substance abuse awareness campaign in Kingsdale, Queens Park West and Queens Park East, Bulawayo.

KEY TAKE NOTE: