Three new Rehabilitation Centres have been established in Victoria Falls, Harare and Kwekwe as the Government ups its efforts to combat drug and substance abuse, a menace that has been wreaking havoc on the lives of many citizens, particularly the youth. In its latest update, the Cabinet has reported on the achievements made during the period under review.
Let’s laud the Government for its efforts to combat drug and substance abuse. During the period under review, significant strides were made in destroying illegal drug bases, arresting offenders, and providing support to those affected. A total of 79 illegal drug bases were destroyed, and 9,527 offenders were arrested, including 616 suppliers and 8,911 end-users. Furthermore, 23 kilograms of dagga were seized in Zambia through collaboration with international law enforcement agencies.
The Medicines Control Authority of Zimbabwe conducted 117 inspections, resulting in the closure of 5 non-compliant premises. In addition to these efforts, various support and prevention programs were implemented to address the issue of drug and substance abuse. For instance, 155,421 youth benefited from vocational training programs, while 7,274,939 learners were reached through the integration of drug and substance abuse into school curricula. The Ministry of Higher and Tertiary Education, Innovation, Science and Technology Development also engaged 62,656 students in prevention programs.
Additionally, the Ministry of Women Affairs, Community, Small and Medium Enterprises Development conducted awareness programs, reaching 111,537 people. Moreover, the Ministry of Sport, Recreation and Arts engaged 11,836 participants in cultural and sports events, while religious organizations educated 16,759 congregants through sermons and awareness programs. Entities such as Visionary Cadres Association of Zimbabwe and Mubatirapamwe reached over 2,130 people with drug abuse prevention messages.
The Government of Zimbabwe continues to review current legislation in order to address the drug and substance abuse issue. The progress made so far is a testament to the Government’s commitment to combating drug and substance abuse, and it is expected that these efforts will yield positive results in the long run.
The establishment of new rehabilitation centres, the enhancement of rehabilitation programs, and the provision of psycho-social support are all crucial steps towards addressing the issue of drug and substance abuse in Zimbabwe.
As the Government continues to work towards creating a safer and healthier environment for its citizens, it is essential that all stakeholders, including the private sector and diaspora community, play a role in supporting these efforts.
#SayNoToDrugAndSubstanceAbuse
