HARARE – More patrols are anticipated to be undertaken to reduce the sale of harmful drugs and substances, and liquor store owners will be obliged to operate within set business hours as part of an ongoing operation against drug addiction that has resulted in at least 6,156 arrests.
All ports of entry and exit are being monitored more closely, and staff members are receiving training on how to efficiently spot the trafficking of harmful narcotics and chemicals.
Minister of Public Service, Labour and Social Welfare, Honourable Paul
Mavima told Cabinet on Tuesday there is deep concern about the
increase in drugs and substance abuse, which poses a danger to family
life and society.
The Drug and Substance Abuse Unit, within the Department of Social Welfare in the Ministry of Public Service, Labour and Social Welfare has since been strengthened for effective coordination and programming of activities on curbing drug and substance abuse.
The Inter-Ministerial Task Force on Drug and Substance misuse technical officers, according to Cabinet, are regularly receiving training from the government and World Health Organization on how to reduce drug and substance misuse.
In a post-Cabinet briefing, Information Minister Monica Mutsvangwa stated, “Regarding supply reduction, the Inter-Ministerial Task Force is conducting surveillance activities across the country leading to the arrest and prosecution of a cumulative total of 6 156 accused persons.”
“Under the Operation Clean up Zimbabwe Campaign, the Inter-Ministerial Task Force managed to recover large quantities of dangerous drugs and substances
comprising crystal meth, cocaine, ecstacy, dagga, broncleer, histalix and benylyn.
“Several Anti-Drug Abuse Awareness Campaigns are being conducted to date. Demand reduction activities are being ramped up across various platforms such as the Zimbabwe Agricultural Shows, Primary and Secondary School events at Growth Points, in Universities, Colleges and Online programmes at various television and radio stations across the country.”
The Inter-Ministerial Task Force is said to be making progress in the management of the negative impacts of drug and substance misuse in terms of treatment and rehabilitation.
District offices are currently working on providing psychosocial assistance, community involvement, and social reintegration.
“The nation is being informed that more rehabilitation centres for victims of
drug and substance abused are being set up in major cities and towns in order to relieve pressure from existing institutions,” Mutsvangwa said.
“Concurrently, steps are being taken to mobilise the whole of society from the family unit to villages, Headmen and Chiefs, religious organisations, schools, law enforcement agencies, prisons, youth skills training institutions as well as health centres, in order to achieve the much-needed traction in tackling the drug and substance abuse scourge”
Cabinet has also resolved to adequately equip youth training centres and to revive the broader National Youth Service Programme in order to develop youths into productive citizens.
“The nation is further being informed that dangerous drug and substance suppliers will be tracked down and prosecuted, with deterrent sentences set to be introduced. Culprits will be named and shamed,” Mutsvangwa said.
“Cabinet further wishes to assure the nation that the drug and substance abuse menace will soon be tamed in the manner other scourges such as the COVID-19 pandemic were fought.”
