Harare, (New Ziana)-At least 79 drug bases were destroyed and a total of 9 527 offenders arrested during the period from 1 September last to 31 January this year as the government intensifies the fight against drug and substance abuse, a Cabinet has said.
In a weekly post Cabinet briefing, Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services Minister Dr Jenfan Muswere said of the total number of offenders arrested, 616 were suppliers while 8 911 were end users.
“Collaboration with the international law enforcement agencies led to the arrest of three people carrying 23 kilograms of dagga in Zambia. The Medicines Control Authority of Zimbabwe conducted 117 inspections and closed five (5) non-complaint premises,” he said.
Dr Muswere said the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education has integrated drug and substance abuse into the school curricula, reaching 7 274 939 learners, while 62 656 students were engaged in prevention programs through the Ministry of Higher and Tertiary Education, Innovation, Science and Technology Development.
“The Ministry of Women affairs, Community, Small and Medium Enterprises Development conducted awareness programs, reaching 111 537 people. The nation is also informed that the Ministry of Sport, Recreation and Arts engaged 11 836 participants in cultural and sports events, while religious organisations educated 16 759 congregants through sermons and awareness programs. Entities such as Visionary Cadres Association of Zimbabwe and Mubatirapamwe reached over 2 130 people with drug abuse prevention messages,” he said.
Meanwhile, Dr Muswere said three new Rehabilitation Centres were established in Victoria Falls, Harare and Kwekwe.
“The Ministry of Health and Child Care, Zimbabwe Prisons and Correctional Services and partners enhanced rehabilitation programs, serving 19 new patients in prison. The private sector and Diaspora community are invited to invest in the establishment of rehabilitation centres,” he said.
Speaking at the same event, Minister of State in the Office of the President and Cabinet Skills Audit and Development Prof Paul Mavima said operationalisation of the new rehabilitation centers now await the Treasury to release the budgeted for ZWG800 million.
New Ziana
