"To combat the scourge" means to actively fight against a very serious and harmful problem or issue in order to prevent its negative consequences. Full definition
Last summer, the Family Online Safety Institute (FOSI) sent both presidential campaigns four recommendations to effectively combat the scourge of online harassment, including hosting an annual Online Safety Summit at the White House. (thedailybeast.com)
«In order to successfully combat this scourge, all levels of government are going to have to cooperate on innovative solutions. (www2.erie.gov)
«As well as failing to enforce the law, our porous borders allow weapons to simply flow into the country while the government's failure to combat the scourge of drugs also fuels so much violent crime.» (politics.co.uk)