Online Reporter
Sunday Mail Reporter
THE Government, companies and learning institutions will soon be required to conduct drug tests on employees and students under new legislative proposals seeking to make workplaces and educational institutions the first line of defence against the growing crisis.
The provisions are contained in the National Drug, Substance Abuse Control and Enforcement Agency Bill, which has been gazetted and is expected to be tabled before Parliament soon.
Under the proposed legislation, employers and heads of public institutions will also be compelled to establish internal systems to detect, prevent and manage drug and substance abuse within their ranks.
Once enacted, the law will make it mandatory for all institutions to adopt comprehensive anti-drug and substance abuse policies that include awareness campaigns, counselling and rehabilitation, as well as mechanisms for identifying and reporting cases of abuse.
The Bill, which also provides for the setting up of the National Drugs, Substance Abuse Control and Enforcement Agency, will require institutions to put in place structured programmes that promote prevention and early intervention, while also providing referral pathways for those struggling with addiction.
These internal processes are designed to ensure that organisations take active responsibility for safeguarding employees, students and the broader community from the harmful effects of drug use.
Section 12 of the Bill shifts the primary responsibility for drug abuse prevention from solely a Government enforcement issue to a mandatory, monitored responsibility shared by all private and public entities.
“Every obligated person shall no later than 90 days after the date of commencement of this Act or no later than 90 days after commencing business in the case of an employer; or commencing operations in the case of a statutory body or learning institutions: either adopt a demand side reduction programme designed by the agency (whether generally or specific to a type of obligated person) or design its own customised demand side reduction programme and submit it for approval to the Deputy Director-General (Social) in accordance with this Section,” reads part of the Bill.
It also notes that the customised demand side reduction programme must “describe in sufficient detail the nature of the interventions proposed, including mandatory or voluntary harmful drug and substance testing and screening, and psycho-social support (including education about harmful drugs and substances, and harmful drug and substance abuse counselling)”.
It adds that the programme must “encourage and protect members of the targeted group (employees or students) who wish to report the trafficking and use of harmful drugs and substances, or the abuse of drugs and substances, in their focus area, while at the same time protecting the privacy of survivors of such use or abuse who belong to the targeted group”.
Monitors
To ensure compliance, the Bill establishes a new National Drugs, Substance Abuse Control and Enforcement Agency that will be empowered to appoint “monitors”, who will regularly inspect workplaces, schools, colleges and other entities to assess the effectiveness of their anti-drug measures. The monitors will have the authority to demand access to relevant records, interview staff or students and inspect premises where substance abuse is suspected.
They can also issue compliance orders or recommend sanctions against institutions that fail to meet the prescribed standards.
“For the purpose of evaluating the effectiveness of the implementation of any demand side reduction programme, monitors shall have the right to access to any information, documentation or other evidence strictly related to the achievement of the targets set by the programme and the manner in which any public funding availed for the programme has been expended . . .”
It adds that the monitor “may enter premises of any demand reduction stakeholder, and after informing the person in charge or control of the premises of the purpose of his or her visit, may do the following . . . question any person who is employed in or at the premises to enable the monitor his or her mandate”.
Entities or individuals who refuse to cooperate with the monitors or deliberately obstruct their work will face stiff penalties, including hefty fines and possible imprisonment for up to a year. The Bill also provides for disciplinary action against public officers or administrators who neglect their duties in implementing anti-drug measures within their institutions.
The authorities say the new law is part of a comprehensive strategy to tackle Zimbabwe’s worsening drug and substance abuse crisis, which has reached alarming levels, particularly among young people.
In recent years, the country has witnessed a surge in the abuse of illicit substances such as crystal methamphetamine (mutoriro), marijuana, cough syrups containing codeine and other prescription drugs.
Reports indicate that urban centres such as Harare, Bulawayo and Mutare have become hotspots for drug trafficking and consumption, with some dealers operating near schools and universities.
The authorities say the problem has contributed to rising crime, mental health disorders, family breakdowns and reduced productivity, prompting the Government to adopt a whole-of-society approach that enlists institutions, communities and families in prevention and rehabilitation efforts.
It is envisaged that the National Drugs, Substance Abuse Control and Enforcement Agency will coordinate national responses, regulate rehabilitation centres and spearhead awareness campaigns aimed at reducing demand for illicit substances.
Once operational, the agency will have two main sections — the Social Services Intervention Division, which will focus on demand side reduction, prevention, public awareness, treatment, rehabilitation and reintegration of those affected by substance abuse; and the Enforcement Division, tasked with investigating, arresting and prosecuting individuals involved in the production, trafficking and consumption of harmful drugs and substances.
The agency will also work closely with law-enforcement agencies and relevant ministries to disrupt the supply and trafficking of illicit drugs, and guide the development of evidence-based interventions to curb Zimbabwe’s growing drug crisis.
