Staff Reporter
Government has seized drugs and illicit substances worth $438 654 692 million whilst 6 156 people have since been arrested and arraigned before the courts as authorities continue the fight against drugs and substance abuse.
The national blitz has also reached communities with anti-drug information dissemination and campaigns in hotspot areas through Provincial and District structures.
Government has since established an outpatient rehabilitation and psycho-social support centre in Harare with similar centres to be set up in other provinces.
In a post-cabinet brief, Acting Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services Minister Dr Jenfan Muswere said the government continues to make progress in the fight against drug abuse.
“The nation is being informed that progress recorded to date includes the following: 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,” he said.
He said a National Plan of Action has since been adopted, it requires among other, 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 the Third Quarter of 2023; that 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,” he said.
Dr Muswere said, going forward, a National Coordinator will be appointed to coordinate policies and activities on drug and substance abuse.
“Government will establish rehabilitation and psycho-social support centres for drug and substance abuse survivors in order to ensure full rehabilitation and recovery.
“Cabinet warns all those who are selling liquor without the requisite liquor licenses to desist from doing so and the law enforcement agents will take action against those in defiance of the statutes.
“The Nation Action Plan on Drug and Substance Abuse will be launched by His Excellency the President at a date to be advised,” he said.
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