Online Reporter
Walter Nyamukondiwa
Mashonaland West Bureau Chief
The public should complement the efforts of Government agencies, including the police and other stakeholders such as the church, by providing information on users and peddlers of drugs and harmful substances in the communities.
Speaking at a drug and substance abuse prayer meeting at Gadzema Grounds in Chinhoyi at the weekend, stakeholders, including, Government, the police and the church said the drug and substance abuse scourge needed to be stopped urgently.
In a speech read on her behalf by Provincial Permanent Secretary Mr Josphat Jaji, Mashonaland Provincial Affairs and Devolution Minister Marian Chombo said stakeholders needed to collaborate in the fight against drug and substance abuse.
“Drug and substance abuse must stop because we are losing a lot of our people, including the young and productive age,” said Minister Chombo.
“The Government has taken a bold stance against the vice, with our police arresting those involved in the peddling and taking of the drugs.
“The public must play its part in informing the police so that more people are arrested to safeguard our children.”
Minister Chombo bemoaned the lack of cooperation by some people who know the peddlers and abusers of drugs in communities.
“It’s painful that people know where the drugs are being sold or abused but remain silent without informing the police,” said Minister Chombo.
“It’s a pity that we are not sharing such information with the police so that we deal with the challenge once and for all.”
National Police Spokesperson Commissioner Paul Nyathi said the whole of Government and community approach was key in reducing crime and vices such as drug and substance abuse.
“The issue of drug and substance abuse is a security issue, and that is why Cabinet has set up a Ministerial Taskforce, which is working closely with the police,” said Comm Nyathi.
“Definitely we want the church to play an active part in terms of fighting crime, drug and substance abuse, which has affected adults, families and industries.”
He said cross-border transporters were in most cases acting as conduits for smuggling drugs into the country and ZRP was effecting arrests.
Smugglers, he said, had become sophisticated in disguising the drugs in everyday use packaging, including flour packaging and drinks.
“As police we are aware of these developments and we are actively tracking them to ensure there is compliance with the country’s laws,” he said.
Government has launched a sustained blitz against smuggling targeting cross-border transporters as part of a broader fight against the smuggling of drugs and other harmful substances.
He said the Ministerial Taskforce on Drug and Substance Abuse was naming and shaming those involved in the peddling and abuse of drugs.
“There is nothing bad about the public coming to report instances of drug abuse and peddling. I want to implore the public to come forward now,” he said.
“Don’t wait for the vice to affect your relative or family before taking action because it may be too late.”
Evangelical Fellowship of Zimbabwe representative, chairman of the Zimbabwe Heads of Christian Denominations, Bishop Never Muparutsa said drugs were affecting the country and the church needed to intensify prayers.
Officer Commanding Police in Mashonaland West Province Commissioner Tawonei Nyazema and representatives of churches among others attended the event.
