Zim to introduce longer jail terms for illegal drug suppliers

Harare (New Ziana) -Zimbabwe will soon introduce tougher prison sentences for illegal drug suppliers and dealers as the government intensifies the fight against dangerous substances, a cabinet minister said on Tuesday.

The country has been experiencing an upsurge in cases of drug abuse with the majority of the users being young people, while the most common drugs include heroin, cocaine and crystal methamphetamine.

In a weekly post Cabinet briefing on Tuesday, Information Publicity and Broadcasting Services Minister Monica Mutsvangwa said surveillance had been heightened at all ports of entry to detect trafficking of dangerous drugs and substances.

“The nation is further being informed that dangerous drug and substance suppliers will be tracked down and prosecuted, with deterrent sentences set to be introduced,” she said.

“Culprits will be named and shamed. More patrols will be mounted to curb the sale of dangerous drugs and substances, while liquor outlet owners will be required to operate within stipulated business hours.”

Mutsvangwa said Cabinet was deeply concerned about the increase in drugs and substance abuse as it posed a danger to family life and society.

“Regarding supply reduction, the Inter-Ministerial Task Force is conducting surveillance activities across the country leading to the arrest and prosecution of a cumulative total of 6 156 accused persons,” she said.

Under an operation dubbed Clean Up Zimbabwe Campaign, the Inter-Ministerial Task Force managed to recover large quantities of dangerous drugs and substances comprising of crystal meth, cocaine, ecstacy, dagga, broncleer, histalix and bennyiln.

Drug abuse has also become a big problem in schools throughout the country, prompting the police and other law enforcement agencies to launch a nationwide crackdown recently.

Recent statistics has been showing an increase in the number of mental health sufferers in the country, with the majority of cases linked to the intake of illicit drugs and other substances.

It is estimated that at least 57.1 percent of the country’s youths are taking illicit drugs and substances.

New Ziana