Govt readies Drug and Substance Agency Bill, as fi...

Govt readies Drug and Substance Agency Bill, as fight against peddlers, abusers intensifies

Oscar J Jeke

ZIM NOW REPORTER

The Inter-Ministerial Committee on Drug and Substance Abuse has drafted principles of the proposed ZDSA bill, as government seeks to expedite efforts to close in on global threats of drugs to economic development, health and wellbeing of the general public.

Through this bill, the country seeks to pave way for the establishment of a specialised drug and substance abuse security service under the Substance Elimination Agency/ National Drug Agency, that will deal with enforcing laws related to drug and substance trafficking, use and peddling.

The bill will come as part of the Multi-sectoral Drug and Substance Abuse Plan 2024-2030 that involves implementation of a number of strategies outside of the bill, which include establishment of Psycho-Social Support Centres and parenting, decentralisation of the Drug and Narcotics Department and removal of spot fines to prosecution through courts of suppliers.

Addressing the media in Harare on Tuesday, Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services Minister, Dr. Jenfan Muswere said the strategies in place will resolve the escalating threat of drug and substance abuse to public health, economic growth, national security and social stability in the country.

“The Minister of Defence, Honourable O.C.Z. Muchinguri-Kashiri updated Cabinet on the principles for the Zimbabwe Drug and Substance Agency Bill.

The nation is advised that the prevalence of drug and substance abuse has become a global issue and Zimbabwe has not been spared.

“Drug and Substance Abuse has become a threat to economic development, social harmony, health and well-being, public order and security. Cabinet has thus approved the principles for the enactment of the Zimbabwe Drug and Substance Agency Bill, 2024 that paves way for the establishment of an additional Security Service and specialised Drug and Substance Elimination Agency/National Drug Agency. The Agency will be responsible for the enforcement of laws that deal with drug and substance trafficking, use and abuse as well as coordinating efforts of other support services,” Dr. Muswere said.

The minister also added that the chairperson of the drug and substance abuse committee, Minister of Defence, Oppah Muchinguri-Kashiri, reported that to date the committee has recorded a number of successes, which include the arrest of 6 148 people, 677 being suppliers and 5 471 were end-users, identified 106 illegal drug and substance trading bases in Harare, Shamva, Chinhoyi, Bindura, Bulawayo and Mutare.

Various liquor stores were closed and charged for operating without licences and others for violating licence conditions.

“Cabinet approved the report by the Inter-Ministerial Committee on Drug and Substance Abuse as presented by the Chairperson, Minister of Defence, Honourable O.C.Z. Muchinguri-Kashiri.

Government continues to intensify its response against drug and substance abuse across the country. Since January 2024, about 6 148 people were arrested, 677 were suppliers and 5 471 were end-users. A total of 106 illegal drug and substance trading bases were identified, raided and destroyed in Harare, Shamva, Chinhoyi, Bindura, Bulawayo and Mutare.

“Fifty-one liquor outlets were charged for operating without the correct licences and while 268 operators were also arrested for violating licence conditions, 17 outlets had their licences cancelled for violating operating conditions. A total of 311 countrywide inspections on medicine outlets were conducted and 62 lines of medicines were confiscated.

Awareness campaigns on drug and substance abuse are being accelerated targeting adults, youths and children.

“Cabinet has approved the Zimbabwe Multi-Sectoral Drug and Substance Abuse Plan 2024-2030 that outlines a comprehensive strategic approach to address the escalating threat of drug and substance abuse to public health, economic growth, national security, and social stability in Zimbabwe.

“The decentralisation of the Drug and Narcotics Department will be expedited. Cabinet also approved the review and updating of fine structure of the organisation and directed that suppliers must be prosecuted through the courts and not through spot fines. Establishment of outpatient Psycho-Social Support Centres and parenting groups countrywide as well as the purchase of psychotropic medicines and food provisions for rehabilitation centres will be expedited,” he added.