Online Reporter
Sukulwenkosi Dube-Matutu,[email protected]
GWANDA District will today (Wednesday) launch an anti-drug and substance abuse resource mobilisation initiative aimed at raising funds to combat the growing scourge of drug and substance abuse.
The launch will see various stakeholders contributing resources and making pledges towards various activities.
Heads of Government departments, residents, Civic Society Organisations (CSOs), community leaders, youths among others are expected to attend the launch.
As part of their resource mobilisation strategy stakeholders from the district proposed that contributions should come from households, civil servants, business community and other partners to ensure that no one is left behind.
In an interview principal administrative officer in the office of the Gwanda District Development Coordinator who is also the acting District Development Coordinator, Mr Thulani Moyo said while the resource mobilisation exercise had started the launch will see the exercise being scaled up.
He said there is need for every stakeholder to assume ownership of the programme to ensure its success.
Gwanda District which is one of Matabeleland South’s seven districts has a target of US$36 000. Matabeleland South has set a target of US$280 000.
The TB Centre in Gwanda Urban is set to be renovated to become a rehabilitation centre. Other activities that will be carried out using the funds include awareness campaigns, patrols, community empowerment projects, establishment of recreational facilities, sporting activities among others.
“The district has a target of US$36 000 for the drug and substance abuse fight. As part of our strategies we have seen it prudent to have contributions start from household level. We have called this launch so that we can bring together various stakeholders and share our roadmap in the drug and substance abuse fight.
“We want the buy in of everyone. While not everyone will manage to attend today’s launch the information will cascade down to communities through different platforms. Community leaders will play a crucial role in disseminating the information and so will Governments departments and other stakeholders. We will also use different media platforms and also roll out awareness campaigns,” he said.
President Mnangagwa on 11 July 2025, launched the National Drug and Substance Response Resource Mobilisation programme in Harare.
Government has set up a National Committee on Drug and Substance guided by seven pillars. The pillars focus on supply, demand, harm reduction, treatment, rehabilitation, legal frameworks, community reintegration and media strategies to ensure a holistic fight against the scourge.
@DubeMatutu
