Online Reporter
Nqobile Tshili, [email protected]
GOVERNMENT has mainstreamed drugs and substance abuse mitigation into the Primary and Secondary Education Curriculum as the country implements multiple strategies to address the scourge that is threatening the country’s security and social fabric.
Drug and substance abuse has become an issue of concern as it affects both the young and old alike. This is part of the national drug and substance abuse response strategy as presented by Skills Audit and Development Minister, Professor Paul Mavima before Cabinet yesterday.
In his post-Cabinet media briefing, Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services Minister, Dr Jenfan Muswere, said by mainstreaming drugs and substance abuse into the education sector, the country will defeat the scourge.
“The Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education has integrated drug and substance abuse into the school curricula, reaching 7 274 939 learners while 62 656 students were engaged in prevention programmes through the Ministry of Higher and Tertiary Education, Innovation, Science and Technology Development,” said Dr Muswere.
He said between September last year and end of January this year police arrested 9 527 drug related offenders while destroying 79 illegal drug bases.
Dr Muswere said Zimbabwe is also partnering with international law enforcement agents to arrest the issue of drugs.
“Collaboration with the international law enforcement agencies led to the arrest of three people carrying 23 kilogrammes of dagga in Zambia,” he said.
“The Medicines Control Authority of Zimbabwe conducted 117 inspections and closed five non-complaint premises,” said Dr Muswere.
He said the Government equipped 155 421 youths with vocational training skills as part of the strategies to combat drug and substance abuse.
Dr Muswere said inter-Government departments are also collaborating to tackle the issue of drugs and substance abuse.
“The Ministry of Women affairs, Community, Small and Medium Enterprises Development conducted awareness programmes, reaching 111 537 people. The nation is also informed that the Ministry of Sport, Recreation and Arts engaged 11 836 participants in cultural and sports events, while religious organisations educated 16 759 congregants through sermons and awareness programmes,” said Dr Muswere.
He said the Government is set to establish three new rehabilitation centres in Victoria Falls, Harare and Kwekwe while the Ministry of Health and Child Care, Zimbabwe Prisons and Correctional Services and partners have enhanced rehabilitation programmes where inmates are being rehabilitated in prison.
He urged the private sector and diaspora community to also chip in and assist the Government in tackling the drugs and substance abuse menace through establishing rehabilitation centres.
Dr Muswere said the Government is also working with various players to counsel those abusing drugs while tightening laws to deal with those abusing drugs.
“A total of 13 695 people received psycho-social support to assist with reintegration, while 886 individuals were reintegrated into their families, 6 695 parents attended parenting sessions and 1 161 people were reached through the online support platform,” he said.
“Awareness campaigns were aired on national television and community radio stations, while new followers were engaged through social media platforms. The Government of Zimbabwe continues to review current legislation in order to address the drug and substance abuse issue,” said Dr Muswere.
Meanwhile, the Government is now in the final stage of the Food Deficit Mitigation Programme as distribution of relief aid commenced this month.
Dr Muswere said Public Service, Labour and Social Welfare Minister Cde Edgar Moyo briefed Cabinet on the drought mitigation strategy, which shows that the Government provided 90 percent of the relief aid to food insecure citizens.
“The third blitz in terms of food distribution commenced on 1 November, 2024 and ended on 31 January 2025, with deserving people having received assistance,” he said.
“The Government of Zimbabwe has distributed over 90 percent of the total grain to food insecure and vulnerable households while Development Partners distributed 10 percent. The fourth blitz food distribution phase commenced on 1 February and is expected to end on 31 March, 2025,” said Dr Muswere.
He said Government will soon embark
On the first round crop assessment to determine the likely harvest and the outlook is positive. — @nqotshili
