Photo Credit: ZIMPAPERS
By HARRISON JEREMIAH
DRUG and substance abuse have become prevalent in today's communities especially in the third world countries due to a number of factors that include a high rate of unemployment.
This has been reported to be a global crisis affecting the whole world at large and Zimbabwe is not spared.
The Government of Zimbabwe has launched a campaign to fight against drug and substance abuse nationwide, and this initiative is targeting suppliers and end users of narcotics.
In a post cabinet briefing held on the 23rd of April, Minister of Defence Hon. Oppah.C.Z Muchinguri Kashiri presented a report of the Inter-Ministerial committee On Drug and Substance Abuse.The report emphasized that the Government of has intensified its response towards this pandemic that has affected mostly the youths of the modern day societies.
"Since January 2024, about 6 148 people were arrested, 677 were suppliers and 5 471 were end-users, a total of 106 illegal drug and substance trading bases were identified, raided and destroyed in Harare, Shamva, Chinhoyi, Bindura, Bulawayo and Mutare."
"The government is also targeting retailers of liquor who are operating without proper paperwork required"
"Fifty-one liquor outlets were charged for operating without the correct licenses, while 268 operators were also arrested for violating license conditions, 17 outlets had their licenses cancelled for violating operating
conditions and a total of 311 countrywide inspections on medicine outlets were conducted and 62 lines of medicines were confiscated." Muchinguri-Kashiri added.
Minister Muchinguri alluded that the Government will also accelerate awareness campaigns on drug and substance abuse targeting adults, youths and children.
*_"Cabinet has approved the Zimbabwe Multi-Sectoral Drug and Substance Abuse Plan 2024-2030 that outlines a comprehensive strategic approach to address the escalating threat of drug and substance abuse to public health, economic growth, national security, and social stability in Zimbabwe"_*
_*"The decentralization of the Drug and Narcotics Department will be expedited, cabinet also approved the review and updating of the fine structure of the organization and directed that suppliers must be prosecuted through the courts and not through spot fines."*_
_*"The establishment of outpatient Psycho-Social Support Centers and parenting groups countrywide as well as the purchase of psychotropic medicines and food provisions for rehabilitation centers will be expedited as a way to fight the effects of drug and substance abuse."*_
The Minister of Defence, Honourable O.C.Z. Muchinguri Kashiri updated cabinet on the Principles for the Zimbabwe Drug and Substance Agency Bill.
_*"Drug and Substance Abuse has become a threat to economic development, social harmony, health and wellbeing, public order and security."*_
Cabinet has thus approved the Principles for the enactment of the Zimbabwe Drug and Substance Agency Bill, 2024 that paves way for the establishment of an additional Security Service and specialized Drug and Substance Elimination Agency or National Drug Age. " She said
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