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Peter Matika, [email protected] 

GOVERNMENT has converted all idle provincial COVID-19 isolation facilities into multi-sectorial drug rehabilitation centres in the ongoing battle against drug and substance abuse.

To scale up the fight, the police will establish drugs and narcotics units at four border posts, namely Beitbridge; Victoria Falls; Chirundu; and Mutare to curtail the inflow of drugs. 

This also extends to airports such as the Robert Gabriel Mugabe, Joshua Mqabuko Nkomo and Victoria Falls airports while Dr Agnes Mahomva has been appointed the national coordinator of inter-ministerial task force on drugs and substance abuse

In a post Cabinet briefing yesterday, Minister of Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services, Dr Jenfan Muswere, said the national committee has been frequently meeting in light of the observed increases in cases of drug and substance abuse. “There is a need to urgently resume capacitation of sub-national structures including traditional leaders and religious group leadership on drug and substance abuse,” he said. 

“All  citizens are urged to participate in the efforts at all levels as consultations are happening across the country, and members of the media have a shared responsibility to identify the network’s distributors and inform the nation on the types, effects and bases of the criminal networks of drug peddlers within the communities and expose such criminals.  “All media organisations should also accelerate anti-drug abuse messages across all communities.”

The minister said the Government established the key pillars to address the supply reduction, demand reduction, harm reduction, treatment and rehabilitation, psycho-social support and community reintegration, media and information pillars. 

“Under the supply reduction pillar, raids and operations against drug suppliers, dealers and peddlers are regularly conducted, and a total of 5 367 offenders were arrested during the period 7th July to 23rd September, 2023,” said Dr Muswere.

He said there has been a worrying sharp increase in the arrests as compared to the year 2022 where 4 328 people were found on the wrong side of the law.

Dr Muswere said through the report, a total of 81 bases where drug users and peddlers converged to sell and consume drugs were destroyed.

He said also new technologies such drones are being absorbed to monitor the country’s borders in addition to the traditional surveillance methods to reduce smuggling and trafficking of drugs. “Interventions by the Liquor Licensing Board have reduced unlicensed liquor outlets, vendors and peddlers as well as licensed outlets operating outside the agreed terms and conditions,” said Dr Muswere.  “These include inspections of premises, investigations against public complaints and cancellation of licenses. The Medicines Control Authority of Zimbabwe (MCAZ) has cancelled seven licenses for wholesalers and deregistered one.”

Going forward, Cabinet has agreed to enact the relevant legislation for the establishment of a Drug Elimination Agency to govern and coordinate all national activities on drug and substance abuse. “The aim is to reduce the desire for illegal and illicit drugs by awareness raising and public education, peer-to-peer support, guidance and counselling, community dialogues, exhibitions; and livelihood skills and entrepreneurship capacity building programmes,” said the minister. 

“In terms of awareness programmes, a total of 715 515 people were reached through various activities including Higher and Tertiary Education institutions mandatory awareness campaigns, and engaging artists and sportspersons as ambassadors.”

He said the national committee is also developing standard information dissemination tools that will be used by the sub-national structures, traditional leadership and religious organisations in conscientising families and communities.

“Under the harm reduction, treatment and rehabilitation pillar, drug rehabilitation services were provided in Government and private health institutions. 

“A total of 1 093 new patients were attended to at mental health institutions. Of special note is that the first stand alone Government drug rehabilitation centre was opened at Chipadze Detox Centre on 24 July 2023,” Dr Muswere said.