By Steve Chirombo

Mana, April 25, Mana: Officer In-charge for Dedza Police Station, Mwiza Mose Nyoni, has called on various stakeholders in the district to render their helping hand towards their ‘No to Suicide’ campaign her office is set to launch in the district.

Speaking at the end of the District Executive Committee (DEC) on Thursday, Nyoni said her office has so far recorded ten suicide cases from January to April this year unlike in 2023 when they recorded four cases in the same period.

“Suicide cases have become rampant in our district and more especially here at the boma. We therefore need to join hands in order to avoid further occurrences on the same.

As police, we are set to launch a campaign called ‘No to Suicide’ which is aimed at disseminating preventive messages on suicide cases. We will go across the district and for this to be achieved we need your support,” she said.

According to the Officer in Charge, her office requires fuel that will enable officers to travel to designated areas for the message dissemination exercise.

She further said that of the figures, men were taking lead in committing suicide adding some common factors include; marriage disputes and debts among others while emphasizing that her office has started confiscating drugs commonly known as ‘Chim’bulu’ which most people take in order to end their lives.

“Please let’s learn to open up when we have issues affecting our lives. Let’s speak out whenever we are hurt. There are no issues we can’t sort out hence no need in rushing to take our own lives,” she emphasized.

Commenting on the same, Edward Chisanga, District Social Welfare Officer for Dedza, said there are no specific people to commit suicide and that anyone can fall in that trap.

He called for everyone to seek timely assistance and also practice issues that reduce depression for a healthy psychological well-being.

Dedza Civil Society Organizations Chairperson, Heston Nalikole, has since called for a formal communication in a form of a letter that will then be sent to individual organizations in the district for further discussions with their head offices.

He however called for stringent measures to curb presence of Chim’bulu and other harmful drugs on the market.

“To us every soul is precious and the development is a concern. However, there should be enforcement measures on the sale of these drugs. Those selling should be registered and there should be designated places to sale these drugs.

We can do the campaign, provide support but if these drugs are not regulated it is like we are fighting a losing battle,” stated Nalikole.