Zambian Youth, Government and Faith Leaders Join Forces for a Drug-Free Lusaka through “Clean Up, Crime Down”
HWPL and IPYG Mark the International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking with Prevention Education and a Community Clean-Up
On 26 June, the International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking, the Zambia Youth Revolution for Sustainability: Clean Up, Crime Down — Drug Free Lusaka Initiative was held in the Ng’ombe area of Lusaka, Zambia.
The event was organized jointly by the HWPL Zambia Branch, the International Peace Youth Group (IPYG), the Youth Empowerment Peace Workshop (YEPW) and the Zion Christian Mission Center (ZCMC), with the aim of preventing drug use among young people and building a cleaner, safer community. A total of 102 participants — young people, local residents, religious leaders and officials working in the environmental and health sectors — took part in drug prevention education and carried out a clean-up across the Ng’ombe area.
The program was delivered in cooperation with government bodies, civil society and faith organisations, including the Ministry of National Guidance and Religious Affairs under the Office of the Vice-President, the Lusaka City Council Public Health Department, the Lusaka Integrated Solid Waste Management Company (LISWMC), the Mental Health and Anti-Drug Agency (MHADA) and the Zambia Interfaith Networking Group (ZINGO). The Drug Enforcement Commission (DEC), the Lusaka City Council Junior Council, the University of Zambia (UNZA) and the Roma Ward Development Committee (WDC) also took an interest in the initiative and lent their support.
Peace begins with responsible choices
The event opened with a drug prevention session led by Betty Phiri of IPYG. The session emphasised that avoiding drugs is not simply a matter of saying no to a substance, but a responsible choice to protect one’s own health, education, relationships and future. It also explained that respecting oneself enough to refuse drugs, and helping those around you make positive choices, is a form of peace that can be practised in everyday life.
Pastor Sakala Emmanuel of Life Assemblies of God then delivered a message of encouragement to the young participants on behalf of the churches and pastors of the Ng’ombe area. Religious leaders from the Zambia Interfaith Networking Group (ZINGO), the Faith and Encounter Centre Zambia (FENZA) and the local Pastors’ Fellowship also joined, adding their weight to this shared undertaking by young people and the wider community.
The clean-up under way between Ng’ombe Clinic and New Ngombe Market
A visible change made together on the streets of Ng’ombe
After the prevention session, participants carried out a clean-up along the stretch running from Ng’ombe Clinic to New Ngombe Market.
Young people and local residents worked side by side to collect litter from the roads and the area around the market, improving the living environment. Simon Phiri, Chairperson of the New Ngombe Market ward, and local traders took part in person, adding further meaning to this act of community service.
Loading the collected waste onto a truck
Participants responded warmly to the activity.
Bishop Japhet Lungu, Chairperson of the Lusaka Constituency Pastors’ Fellowship, said: “The cleaning program went on very well, I enjoyed myself indeed. Thank you for doing this wonderful work for our community and our country.”
Nkisu Katemangwe, Junior Councillor of the Lusaka City Council Junior Council, said: “I truly enjoyed participating in this activity. Working alongside volunteers who were passionate about serving the community was motivating. It encouraged me to take greater responsibility for protecting our environment.”
The event brought together youth organisations, government bodies, environmental and health agencies, drug prevention groups, the faith community and residents around the shared goals of protecting young people, preventing drug use and improving the environment. It was particularly significant in that young people did not treat drugs and crime as a private matter but stepped forward as agents of change in their own community.
The HWPL Zambia Branch plans to hold the “Clean Up, Crime Down” campaign monthly and expand it across all 38 wards of Lusaka. This collaboration is expected to lead to lasting practice—one in which young people grow into peace builders within their communities and help create a society safe from drugs and crime.
