Online Reporter
Luthando Mapepa
Correspondent
THE Manicaland Provincial Drug and Substance Abuse Committee has rolled out a programme to revive district-based committees across all seven districts, stepping up the fight against the escalating scourge of drug and substance abuse.
The initiative comes as Government intensifies its nationwide crackdown, with thousands of offenders already arrested and authorities working tirelessly to dismantle illicit supply networks.
In an interview, Director of Coordination in the Office of the Secretary for Provincial Affairs and Devolution Mr Joseph Mashingaidze, said the committee’s mandate is to strengthen prevention and mitigation programmes at grassroots level, ensuring every district plays its part in curbing the crisis.
“Our immediate focus is to ensure that district-based drug and substance abuse committees are fully functional. These committees will help districts develop anti-drug and substance abuse work plans so that interventions are structured, coordinated and effective. We will also roll out extensive awareness campaigns at grassroots level under this programme.
“We are targeting known drug abuse hotspots across the province, and our teams are currently on the ground. The exercise is expected to be completed today (Friday), after which district-level activities will be intensified. There are seven pillars that guide interventions on drug and substance abuse, including supply reduction, demand reduction, rehabilitation of affected individuals and other critical interventions,” he said.
Providing an update on the establishment of rehabilitation centres, Mr Mashingaidze said significant progress has been made in identifying facilities that can be converted into rehabilitation centres across the province.
He said the province is working closely with stakeholders, including Mutare City Council, churches and private rehabilitation institutions, to ensure that affordable rehabilitation services become accessible to those in need.
“A team from our head office recently visited the province to assess facilities that can be converted into drug and substance abuse rehabilitation centres. The assessment revealed that many existing facilities are privately owned. As a result, teams at both national and provincial levels are evaluating their suitability while also identifying additional sites that could serve as rehabilitation centres.
“We have received support from several institutions, particularly Anglican Church, Roman Catholic Church and Seventh-day Adventist Church. These institutions have offered some of their facilities for consideration as rehabilitation centres. Assessments are currently underway to determine how these facilities can best be utilised,” he said.
Mr Mashingaidze added that an agreement was reached with Mutare City Council to repurpose Sakubva Psychiatric Unit into a dedicated drug and substance abuse rehabilitation facility.
“We have agreed with Mutare City Council to transform Sakubva Psychiatric Unit into a rehabilitation facility for people affected by drug and substance abuse. Mutare City Council has committed resources towards upgrading the facility, and work is expected to begin soon.
“We are also identifying facilities in districts across the province that can operate as public rehabilitation centres. This will make treatment and support services more affordable and accessible. We continue to urge all people to work together in preventing the use of drugs and illicit substances because they are destroying our youth, families and communities,” he said.
Speaking on the sidelines of the launch of the Anti-Drug and Substance Abuse Campaign in Chipinge, Chipinge Business Initiative chairperson, Mr James Gabaza, welcomed the programme, and called on the business community to support the establishment of rehabilitation centres.
“It was a significant day on Tuesday for Chipinge as hundreds of residents gathered at Gaza Hall to hear about efforts aimed at tackling the drug and substance abuse scourge that has heavily affected our town.
“We were encouraged to hear that Government is planning to establish rehabilitation centres in towns across the country. In the meantime, families with relatives struggling with substance abuse should seek assistance from health institutions.
“It is clear that establishing a rehabilitation centre requires resources. As businesspeople, we should be prepared to contribute towards this cause so that such a facility can be established as soon as possible. Our children are suffering while we watch. If Mutare can do it, then Chipinge can do it too,” he said.
Another resident, Mr Tonderai Sowa, urged law enforcement agencies to intensify investigations into drug syndicates and act swiftly on information provided by members of the public.
“Law enforcement agents should strengthen their investigations whenever residents report drug syndicates. Some of the suspected offenders continue to operate freely in our community’s despite being reported to the police,” he said.
