Michael Gwarisa
Zimbabwe has intensified its fight against drug and substance abuse, with authorities dismantling 31 drug bases, arraigning nearly 3 000 suspects before the courts, and expanding rehabilitation and youth empowerment programmes across the country.
Presenting an update during a recent Cabinet briefing, Oppah Muchinguri-Kashiri said the government, through the Zimbabwe National Committee on Drug and Substance Abuse, is implementing a Multi-Sectoral Drug and Substance Abuse Plan running from 2024 to 2030.
The strategy is aimed at curbing what government has described as a growing drug and substance abuse scourge affecting communities, particularly young people.
“The Committee is successfully disrupting illicit supply networks and has achieved significant milestones,” said Muchinguri-Kashiri, who chairs the national committee.
According to the update approved by Cabinet, a total of 2 889 accused persons have been arraigned before the courts, while 381 convictions have been secured.
Authorities also dismantled 31 drug bases in selected districts in Manicaland and Mashonaland West provinces. The operations targeted 453 drug suppliers and 2 436 individual end-users.
Government further confiscated drugs and illicit substances valued at approximately ZiG79.9 million. The seized substances included crystal meth, cocaine, ecstasy tablets, dagga, khat, and unregistered medicines such as cough syrups.
In addition, 32 children living and working on the streets were removed during ongoing interventions targeting vulnerable populations.
Muchinguri-Kashiri said the national response is built around seven strategic pillars that include supply chain reduction, prevention, treatment and rehabilitation, psychosocial support, community reintegration, media communication, and legal reforms.
As part of enforcement measures, authorities conducted inspections on liquor-licensed premises across the country. A total of 615 premises were inspected, while 36 unlicensed outlets were fined and shut down.
Government has also expanded awareness and prevention campaigns, which have reportedly reached 285 918 beneficiaries nationwide.
Other interventions include the acquisition of drug-testing kits, establishment of community-based prevention systems, and reintegration of 171 children with their families.
Meanwhile, rehabilitation, vocational training, and entrepreneurship programmes have been rolled out targeting youths and women affected by drug abuse. Approximately 37 937 young people and women have benefited from the initiatives so far.
Government has also launched a US$1 million Youth Empowerment Fund aimed at supporting economic opportunities for young people as part of efforts to reduce vulnerability to substance abuse.
Muchinguri-Kashiri said government will continue strengthening legislative and policy frameworks to improve coordination, accountability, prevention, rehabilitation, treatment, and law enforcement interventions in the fight against drugs.
