The Doping-Sport-Cultural Matrix: A Noxious Trending Issue among Zimbabwean In-school and out-of-school Youth Athletes

Doping and Drug use, especially within the sporting fraternity, have increasingly become noxious large-scale trending issues with healthcare costs on personal and societal settings. This study explored the doping-sport-cultural matrix among in-school and out-of-school adolescent athletes. It critically probes into how doping threatens the integrity of athletic competition and the decay of moral fabric in Zimbabwean schools and society. The study was a descriptive cohort underpinned by a quantitative research approach. It was hinged on the Social Control and Problem-Prone Behaviour and General Deviancy Models. A population of 120 participants was drawn from Primary and Secondary schools, University, Victim Friendly Unit, School Psychological experts, Pharmacists and Ministry of Health and Child Welfare. Random sampling was used to select the study participants. Questionnaires were used as data collection tools for the study. Collected data were presented on tables using descriptive statistics. Findings reveal increased prevalence doping trends in sport, ethical fabric rot culminating into increased crime rates, family disintegrations, scandalous sportsmanship, and psycho-active disorders in young adults. The study recommends that government and line Ministries enforce stringent legislative measures redressing the social-ills, sporting and cultural fabrics through multi-sector and community-driven interventions. Awareness flagship programmes conscientising adolescents on doping and substance abuse health impacts need regularisation at different fora. Accessible counselling points at micro and macro-settings are essential in providing new pigments to authentic citizenry responsiveness programmes with clear reporting frameworks. Drug testing platforms are necessary to curb substance abuse in sport.