Anomie and resilience analysis of youth drug abuse in Highfield, Zimbabwe

Abstract

Substance misuse amongst young people has remained an impediment to optimal youth development in both developing and developed countries. This qualitative research aimed to explore the aetiology and effects of substance misuse amongst the youth in an urban setting. As such, we adopted the anomie theory in an attempt to analyse the realities of the youths in these difficult circumstances. A qualitative case study research design was employed in Highfield, one of Harare’s most populated high-density suburbs. We then purposefully selected and interviewed 12 youths and 4 key informants to collect data for purposes of this study. Research findings from the participants revealed that a majority of youths who have a drug and substance abuse problem were resorting to socially deviant methods of stealing from their households, finding cheaper substances to abuse, robbing local houses and mugging people as a means of getting money to sustain their addiction. Given this, the researchers recommended upscaling of rehabilitative efforts both by the government and NGOs as the panacea to drug and substance abuse in high-density suburbs.