REPORT BY THE CHAIRPERSON OF THE INTER-MINISTERIAL COMMITTEE ON DRUG AND SUBSTANCE ABUSE
Cabinet received a Report on Drug and Substance Abuse as presented by the Chairperson of the Inter-Ministerial Committee and Minister of Defence, Honourable O.C.Z. Muchinguri-Kashiri.
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The nation is being informed that Government continues to heighten the fight against illegal inflow of illicit drugs, substances as well as alcohol throughout the country.
A total of 468 (402 male and 66 female) offenders were arrested.
Out of the 468 offenders, 36 were suppliers who were referred to court, whilst 432 were drug users and consumers who paid deposit fines.
Raids were conducted during the period under review and drugs were confiscated.
A total of four (4) bases were destroyed from three provinces, that is, two (2) in Harare Metropolitan (Mbare and Epworth), one (1) in Midlands (Gweru CBD) and one (1) in Mashonaland West (Gwayagwaya Shopping Centre).
Cabinet wishes to inform the nation that the Liquor Licensing Board conducted alcohol outlets compliance inspections across the country in the cities, municipalities, towns and rural areas.
A total of 244 bottle stores, 197 bars, 90-night clubs and 145 other outlets were monitored for compliance purposes.
These inspections have enhanced the compliance of alcohol outlets.
Cabinet advises that Primary, 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 in the primary and secondary education levels has reached 16 825 learners (4 155 male and 12 670 female).
Community outreaches are being carried out through Information, Education and Communication materials.
The nation is advised that the Medicines Control Authority of Zimbabwe (MCAZ) seized an unregistered consignment of drugs.
The case was referred to the Zimbabwe Republic Police CID Department and investigations are underway.
The nation is further informed that religious groups continue to scale up the fight against drug and substance abuse.
The Supreme Council of Islamic Affairs in Zimbabwe carried out awareness campaigns reaching 1 908 Muslim communities from 1 328 Mosques across the ten provinces.
Furthermore, the United Churches Council of Zimbabwe conducted a meeting which benefitted 150 residents at Hope Fountain in Bulawayo, while an estimated 1 200 congregants from Johanne Masowe ye Chipiri underwent a similar programme in Zaka District.
Cabinet wishes to inform the nation that 198 (184 male and 14 female) patients received drug rehabilitation services inclusive of treatment, medical detoxification and rehabilitation services to all referred and walk-in clients.
In view of the foregoing, Cabinet resolved as follows:
- That Provincial Taskforce Teams should strengthen support to all district programme activities and ensure that Chiefs,
- Church leaders and all local political leaders are actively involved;
- That the Drug and Substance Abuse Programme should be aligned to the Civil Protection Unit which is comprehensive;
- That the Resource Mobilisation Committee be chaired by the Ministry of Local Government and Public Works and utilise resource mobilisation structures in Civil Protection;
- That the Command Centre be activated in order to fully support the program in its day to day operation; and
- That Parliamentarians be integrated in Drug and Substance Programming at Sub-National structures.
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