STAFF WRITER
TWO hundred drug lords and drug peddlers have been arrested in a security blitz aimed at curtailing the rise of substance abuse especially among young people.
An unsubstantiated number of Zimbabweans have turned to drugs with locals saying economic hardship and the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic have contributed to the country’s growing drug problem.
Government says it is seized with the measures to valiantly fight the scourge of drug abuse such as further capacitation of security forces and operationalization of the Zimbabwe National Drug Master Plan (ZNDMP 2020 to 2025.)
“Cabinet noted with satisfaction the swift response by the country’s security forces which has resulted in the arrest of over 200 culprits involved in the trade of illicit substances and drug lords. They will face full wrath of the law,” said Information minister Monica Mutsvangwa at Tuesday’s post-cabinet briefing.
Mutsvangwa also outlined multiple short and medium term plans designed to nip drug abuse in the bud.
“Cabinet wishes to advise the public that in the short term the following measures are being taken to deal with the scourge of substance abuse among others….identifying and upgrading existing mental health institutions that can admit affected children, youths and adults including a dedicated child psychiatric hospital in each province until they have recovered and identifying and improving Community Based activities including establishment of parent support groups and patient support groups,” she said.
Mutsvangwa said medium term strategies which are going to be implemented by government include the establishment of a National Call Centre for drug and substance abuse which will provide online psychosocial support and related information.
Training workshops for supervisors and relevant personnel to fight drug abuse in the workplace was classified as another medium term plan to be implemented.
Media has been regarded as a critical tool in outreach and awareness campaigns against drug abuse.
Mutsvangwa took a cue to combat drug abuse from a report presented by Minister of Public Service, Labour and Social Welfare, Paul Mavima who chaired an Inter-Ministerial Committee on addressing substance abuse menace among the youths set by government recently.
Methamphetamine, among other drugs such as a codeine-based cough syrup, is brought into the country by smugglers from South Africa — the Zimbabwean government doesn’t police the entirety of the border.
