Govt intensifies fight against illicit drugs, substances

Harare (New Ziana)-The Zimbabwe government continues to intensify the fight against illegal inflows of illicit drugs, substances and alcohol throughout the country with a total of 486 offenders arrested so far, a Cabinet Minister has said.

Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services Minister Jenfan Muswere told a post Cabinet media briefing that out of the 486 offenders that were arrested, 20 were suppliers who were referred to court while 466 were users, who paid deposit fines.

“Raids were conducted during the period under review and drugs were confiscated,” he said.

He said the Liquor Licensing Board conducted compliance inspections of alcohol outlets in the satellite town of Epworth, and found 15 operating without licenses.

“A total of 85 premises were inspected and of these, 15 were operating without licenses. The unlicensed cases were referred to the Police Licensing Inspectorate Department for further management.

“The nation is advised that the Ministry of Health and Child Care, the Zimbabwe Republic Police and the Liquor Licensing Board are working together on the investigations, clearance, non-clearance classification, banning and licencing of new alcoholic drinks in the market, including the Kambucha drink beverage,” he said.

Meanwhile, primary as well as higher and tertiary education institutions carried out drug and substance abuse awareness campaigns to students.

“Weekly awareness campaigns continue to be a priority, and the collective campaigns at primary education level has reached 410 473 learners (194 398 male and 216 075 female). As a behavior change intervention, the education sector continues to facilitate students to interact with offenders in a bid to educate them on the danger of abusing drugs and substances and the effects thereof. Community outreaches are being carried out through Information, Education and Communication (IEC) materials,” said Muswere.

The Ministry of Women Affairs, Community, Small and Medium Enterprises Development had reached a total of 2 729 people with drug and substance abuse information through its community empowerment programs, projects and meetings during the week.

A total of 279 patients received drug rehabilitation services inclusive of treatment, medical detoxification and rehabilitation services to all referred and walk-in clients, said Muswere.

New Ziana