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Aiming to reduce drug and substance harm and demand, while increasing treatment and rehabilitation services in different communities, Cabinet has received and considered a report on the Drug and Substance abuse situation among children, youth and the general population, a government official has said.
“The Taskforces’ efforts are targeted at reducing harm and demand, while increasing treatment and rehabilitation and engendering community and social reintegration,” the Minister of Information Publicity and Broadcasting Services, Monica Mutsvangwa said during a post Cabinet briefing on Tuesday.
Minister Mutsvangwa highlighted that the accused people who were mainly contributing to increased drug and substance use were arrested.
“The nation is informed that a total of 575 accused persons were arrested of which 192 were suppliers and 383 were end users.”
Through effective surveillance, it has been learnt, law enforcement agents managed to seize and recover drugs and substances to the tune of ZWL$ 2.8 million
“A total of 16 Anti- Drug and Substance abuse campaigns were conducted at various platforms including the media. Regarding treatment and rehabilitation, a total of 359 patients were hospitalized between January 2021 to 31 October 2021,” she added.
Pertaining to community and social reintegration, the Ministry of Public Service, Labour and Social Welfare is working with stakeholders who are implementing parenting programmes.
“The parenting clubs strategy aims to create ease in reintegration once a survivor has been discharged from treatment. Resuscitation of Family Clubs serve as preventive mechanisms as they instill positive parenting through community structures.”
The Ministry through the Department of Social Development utilizes the National Case Management System in the identification, referral and case management of survivors of drug and substance abuse.
Through Government interventions 97 female and 175 male drug and substance abuse survivors were assisted since January 2021 to date.
According to the 2021 World Drug Report by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, around 275 million people used drugs worldwide in the last year, while over 36 million people suffered from drug use disorders.