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Writes Marlvin Ngiza
Zimbabwe has since adopted the National Plan of Action on drug and substance abuse which was characterized by the decentralization of Law Enforcement Units specialized in drug and substance abuse response, capacitation of Zimbabwe Republic Police(ZRP) Forensic Laboratories, intensification of multi-sectoral awareness campaigns, resource mobilisation and immediate review and update of legal frameworks and policies on drug and substance abuse among others.
The Nation Action Plan will be officially launched by President Emmerson Mnangagwa on a date to be advised.
Presenting a post-cabinet media briefing in Harare yesterday, Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services Acting Minister Dr Jenfan Muswere said that a national coordinator was going to be appointed to spearhead policies and activities on drug and substance abuse.
Muswere further alluded that rehabilitation and psycho-social support centres for drug and substance abuse survivors were going to be established in order to ensure full rehabilitation and recovery.
“As a way forward, a National Plan of Action has since been adopted, its key components include that the Law Enforcement Units specialized in drug and substance abuse response be decentralized coupled with equipping the Zimbabwe Republic Police’s Forensic Laboratories by the end of the Second Quarter, that seamless sub-national structures and family structures to heighten the response to the drug and substance abuse fight be established by end of Third Quarter of 2023,multi-sectoral awareness campaigns be conducted to reduce the demand for drugs with religious leaders playing an active role in fighting the scourge through demand reduction, that there be robust resource mobilization for all activities and encourage Corporate Social Investment by the private sector under this programme and that legal frameworks and policies on drug and substance abuse be reviewed and updated immediately.
“Going forward, a National Coordinator will be appointed to coordinate policies and activities on drug and substance abuse. The government will establish rehabilitation and psycho-social support centres for drug and substance abuse survivors in order to ensure full rehabilitation and recovery, “said Muswere
A stern warning was given to all illicit liquor dealers with the emphasis that the legal arm was ready to take its course.
” Cabinet warns all those who are selling liquor without the requisite liquor licences to desist from doing so and the law enforcement agents will take action against those in defiance of the statutes,” he added.
To date, drugs and substances worth Z$438 654 692 were intercepted under Operation Clean-Up Zimbabwe with 6 156 accused persons being arrested and prosecuted across the country since the establishment of the National Committee on Drug and Substance Abuse chaired by Defence and War Veterans Affairs Minister Oppah Muchinguri Kashiri.