575 drug abusers, suppliers arrested Dr John Mangwiro

Mashudu Netsianda, Senior Reporter
POLICE arrested 575 drug abusers and suppliers and confiscated drugs and substances worth $2,8 million from dealers while a total of 359 patients were hospitalised between January and October this year.

Health and Child Care Deputy Minister Dr John Mangwiro recently told Senators that the country is experiencing a new wave of drug abuse as youths were taking hard drugs like crystal meth, cocaine and heroin.

Ingutsheni Central Hospital, which is one of the country’s biggest referral psychiatric medical centres, said if society does not act now, the country could lose a lot of youths to drugs.

At least 40 percent of new admissions at Ingutsheni Central Hospital are young male drug abusers with authorities calling for immediate action as the situation is getting out of control.

The psychiatric hospital admits at least 50 patients per month.

Government recently announced that in an effort to deal with the scourge of substance abuse among others, it has started the operationalisation of the Zimbabwe National Drug Master Plan (ZNDMP 2020 to 2025) and Treatment and Rehabilitation Guidelines of Alcohol and Substance Use Disorder of Zimbabwe (TRGASUD ZIM).

It is also identifying and upgrading existing mental health institutions that can admit affected children, youths and adults including a dedicated child psychiatric hospital in each province until they have recovered.

In her post-Cabinet briefing on Tuesday, Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services Minister Monica Mutsvangwa said Cabinet has approved a report on the Drug and Substance abuse situation among children, youth and the general population as presented by the Minister of Public Service, Labour and Social Welfare, Professor Paul Mavima who chairs the relevant Inter-Ministerial Taskforce.

The Taskforce’s efforts are targeted at reducing harm and demand while increasing treatment and rehabilitation and engendering community and social reintegration.

“The nation is informed that a total of 575 accused persons were arrested of which 192 were suppliers and 383 were end-users. Additionally, through effective surveillance, law enforcement agents managed to seize and recover drugs and substances to the tune of $2,8 million,” she said.

“A total of 16 anti-drug and substance abuse campaigns were conducted on various platforms including the media. Regarding treatment and rehabilitation, a total of 359 patients were hospitalised between January 2021 and 31 October 2021.”

Minister Mutsvangwa said the Ministry of Public Service, Labour and Social Welfare is working with stakeholders who are implementing parenting programmes.

The parenting club’s strategy aims to create ease in reintegration once a survivor has been discharged from treatment.

Minister Mutsvangwa said resuscitation of family clubs serve as preventive mechanisms as they instil positive parenting through community structures.

Minister Mutsvangwa said other strategies included identifying and improving community-based activities including the establishment of parent support groups and patient support groups.

“Pertaining to community and social reintegration, the ministry through the Department of Social Development utilises 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,” she said.

Government is already working on reviewing the National Policy on Drug and Substance abuse and amendment to the Dangerous Drugs Act which is up to date with the current illicit drug being abused in the country to increase penalties on drug and substance abuse sentencing. — @mashnets

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