Lawmakers have begun scrutinising two key pieces of legislation aimed at strengthening Zimbabwe’s response to drug abuse and aligning national laws with international conventions on biological weapons.
The review is being conducted by the Joint Portfolio Committees on Defence, Home Affairs and Security Services; Youth Empowerment, Development and Vocational Training; and the Thematic Committee on Peace and Security in the Parliament of Zimbabwe.
The committees are considering the National Drugs and Substance Abuse Control and Enforcement Agency Bill (H.B. 12, 2025) and the Biological and Toxins Weapons Crimes Bill (H.B. 9, 2025).
According to Parliament, the proposed laws are intended to tighten the country’s legal framework in response to rising cases of drug and substance abuse while also strengthening compliance with international obligations on the prohibition of biological and toxin weapons.
“The Joint Portfolio Committees on Defence, Home Affairs and Security Services; Youth Empowerment, Development and Vocational Training; and the Thematic Committee on Peace and Security are considering two critical pieces of legislation,” Parliament said.
Drug and substance abuse has emerged as a major public health concern in Zimbabwe, particularly among young people.
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National surveys have shown increasing use of substances such as methamphetamine locally known as “mutoriro” as well as codeine-based cough syrups and cannabis in both urban and rural communities.
Authorities say the proposed National Drugs and Substance Abuse Control and Enforcement Agency Bill seeks to create a stronger institutional framework to coordinate prevention, treatment and enforcement efforts across government agencies.
The second piece of legislation, the Biological and Toxins Weapons Crimes Bill, is designed to ensure Zimbabwe’s domestic laws align with global commitments under the Biological Weapons Convention, which prohibits the development, production and stockpiling of biological and toxin weapons.
“These Bills seek to strengthen the country’s legal framework in combating drug and substance abuse while also ensuring Zimbabwe complies with international obligations on the prohibition of biological and toxin weapons,” Parliament said.
Lawmakers say the legislative review process is part of efforts to strengthen oversight and policy responses to emerging public health and security threats.
“Through these engagements, Parliament continues to play its oversight and legislative role in safeguarding public health, national security and the well-being of citizens,” the statement said.
The committees are expected to gather input from government institutions, civil society organisations and other stakeholders before the bills are debated in the National Assembly.
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