Online Reporter
Fungai Lupande
Mashonaland Central Bureau
GOVERNMENT has intensified its crackdown on illegal drug rehabilitation centres following the closure of an unlicensed facility in Shamva, while fast-tracking the establishment of a dedicated Drug and Substance Abuse Control Agency to tighten regulation, improve treatment standards and strengthen the fight against drug and substance abuse.
Lancos Rehabilitation Centre in Shamva was closed on July 21 this year after inspectors uncovered what authorities described as gross violations of health and human rights standards.
The centre’s owner, Lancos Kuuyangepi (30), was subsequently sentenced to two years in prison for illegally operating the rehabilitation facility.
The centre was operating without a licence and inspectors found overcrowded accommodation, poor hygiene and sanitation, inadequate nutrition, serious patient injuries that had gone untreated, allegations of abuse and forced labour, as well as unsafe detoxification procedures.
Speaking during the Mashonaland Central Provincial Drug and Substance Abuse interface meeting, Home Affairs and Cultural Heritage Minister Kazembe Kazembe warned that Government would not tolerate individuals exploiting vulnerable families through illegal rehabilitation facilities.
“People are free to establish rehabilitation centres, but they must follow the procedures,” Minister Kazembe Kazembe said.
“They have to apply for registration. The Ministry of Health is responsible for inspecting the premises and licensing those who meet the required standards.
“Those taking advantage of vulnerable people, charging huge amounts of money and even abusing patients, like what we witnessed in Shamva, will not be tolerated. The law will take its course and those responsible will be held accountable.”
The minister said the Shamva case had exposed the urgent need for tighter regulation and continuous joint inspections of privately operated rehabilitation centres across the country.
The development comes as Government moves to establish the Drug and Substance Abuse Control Agency through the Drug and Substance Abuse Bill currently before Parliament.
Minister Kazembe said the proposed agency would become the country’s specialised institution dedicated to coordinating the national response to drug and substance abuse.
He said the agency would be headed by a Director-General assisted by two Deputy Directors-General responsible for enforcement and social services respectively.
The enforcement division will focus on intelligence gathering, dismantling drug syndicates, arresting traffickers and strengthening law enforcement operations.
The social services division will oversee prevention programmes, treatment, rehabilitation, demand reduction and reintegration of recovering drug users into their communities.
Minister Kazembe said although the bill was still undergoing parliamentary processes, implementation had effectively begun through the National Taskforce on Drug and Substance Abuse chaired by Cde Oppah Muchinguri-Kashiri.
“Public consultations have already been completed and we hope the Bill will become law within the next few months. However, we have already started working because the challenge cannot wait,” he said.
The proposed agency is expected to strengthen coordination among Government ministries and improve regulation of rehabilitation centres while enhancing enforcement against drug traffickers.
