Harare, (New Ziana) -The Zimbabwe government has intensified its multi-pronged fight against drug and substance abuse, making significant strides under both law enforcement and youth empowerment, a Cabinet Minister has said.

Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services Minister Jenfan Muswere said this while addressing the Tuesday post Cabinet media briefing in the capital.

He said Cabinet considered a comprehensive report covering the period from March 12 to June 2 this year, which reflects significant strides through a whole-of-government approach to address the crisis.

Muswere said under the Supply Reduction Pillar, the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) received five drones from the Ministry of Local Government and Public Works to bolster surveillance operations at strategic border posts, enhancing the detection and interception of illicit drug movements.

‎”A total of 206 raids were conducted nationwide, leading to the dismantling of 39 illicit drug bases and the arrest of 1 445 suspects. ‎In a bold move to expose key players in the drug trade, 41 drug kingpins were named and shamed, with those convicted receiving custodial sentences ranging from 12 months to 15 years,” he said.

He said in support of regulatory enforcement, the Liquor Licensing Board inspected 461 premises, confirming that 429 were licensed while the 32 found to be operating without licenses were fined US$40 each, as the government continues to crack down on illegal outlets that often serve as distribution points for drugs and alcohol, added the minister.

‎”But beyond punitive measures, the government is doubling down on youth empowerment as a preventive strategy, aiming to steer young people away from drugs through training, education, and economic opportunities,” he said.

‎The Ministry of Youth Empowerment, Development and Vocational Training reached out to 212 426 youths through targeted awareness campaigns, said Muswere, adding that they included financial literacy training, entrepreneurship, and leadership development.

‎A total of 17 349 youths were directly empowered through flagship programmes such as fish farming, the Mbire Goat Project, and the Presidential Youth Empowerment Scheme, with support from Empower Bank and the Tonganyika Trust.

‎”In a major show of support for youth enterprise, His Excellency, President Cde. Dr. E.D. Mnangagwa, handed over tipper trucks purchased under the US$2 million Presidential Youth Fund to young entrepreneurs in the construction, mining, and transport sectors,” said Muswere.
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He said the government’s flagship Youth Service in Zimbabwe program also celebrated a milestone with 1 907 graduates, while 1 844 youths, including 70 survivors of drug and substance abuse, are currently undergoing training in various disciplines.

‎Several other Ministries conducted aggressive anti-drug awareness campaigns, reaching millions across the country with the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education engaging 1 082 875 pupils, while that of Women Affairs, Community, Small and Medium Enterprises Development reached out to 24 364 young people.

‎The Ministry of Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development supported 305 youths through Green Jobs programs, said Muswere.

‎Additionally, under the ongoing Presidential Empowerment Scheme, young people benefited from the distribution of 662 heifers, 31 000 chicks, and 890 000 fingerlings, aimed at creating sustainable livelihoods in agriculture and aquaculture, he said.

‎The coordinated efforts across law enforcement and youth empowerment reflect the government’s commitment to tackling the scourge of drugs from all angles, prevention, rehabilitation, and prosecution, with the campaign expected to continue gaining momentum as Zimbabwe seeks to protect its future generation from the perils of substance abuse.

New Ziana