Around half of young people in Zimbabwe are believed to have developed an addiction to an over-the-counter cough syrup called Broncleer, which containing the opiate codeine, a common painkiller. With stark parallels to the opiate crisis in the US, Broncleer initially rose in popularity as a cheap alternative to heroin in part because it could be purchased from pharmacies – although in this case, buyers didn’t even need a prescription. Outlawed four years ago, it continues to be imported illegally, primarily from South Africa, where it continues to be sold legally.
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Lead Photo: Graffiti Wall in Harare, by Trust “Tru” Katsande
The Fifty-Four 