New agency to spearhead anti-drugs fight

Vladimir Dube

THE Government is planning to set up a dedicated national drug and substance agency this year to coordinate the country’s fight against the abuse of illicit substances, Home Affairs and Cultural Heritage Minister Kazembe Kazembe has said.

Addressing the high-level segment of the 67th Session of the Commission on Narcotic Drugs (CND) in Vienna, Austria, last week, Minister Kazembe said the agency will assume the responsibilities held by the National Taskforce on Drugs and Substance Abuse, fostering a more streamlined approach to tackling the problem.

Furthermore, the authorities plan to repurpose at least one decommissioned Covid-19 isolation facility in each of the 10 provinces into a comprehensive treatment, rehabilitation and recovery centre for individuals struggling with substance abuse disorders.

“The facilities will use evidence-based and holistic approaches to treatment and rehabilitation,” he said. “In addition, the facilities will specifically prioritise client-centred approaches to address the unique needs of each patient, working closely with the communities through the existing and well-established health centre committees.”

Minister Kazembe said the establishment of the national drug and substance agency would strengthen the “current multi-sectoral whole of government and society national response and coordination approach of leaving no one and no place behind.

“The national drug agency is expected to be fully operational by the end of 2024, taking over the coordination of all national drug and substance abuse activities currently being implemented by the national task force.”

The Government, he added, will allocate a minimum of US$1,5 million towards drug and substance abuse programmes this year, managed through a special drug and substance abuse fund.