NEW: President Mnangagwa launches anti-drug and substance abuse plan

Online Reporter

PRESIDENT Mnangagwa has launched the Zimbabwe Multi-Sectoral Drug and Substance Abuse Plan (2024-2030), a comprehensive approach to tackle the growing scourge of drug and substance abuse in the country.

Speaking at the launch, President Mnangagwa said drug abuse is a significant public health concern that threatens Zimbabwe’s development trajectory.

“This scourge knows no bounds. Affecting all socio-economic levels and religious groupings and destroying lives and families,” he said.

The President noted that global trends indicate that drug abuse results in 3.3 million deaths annually, with 15.3 million people suffering from drug use disorders.

Zimbabwe, he said, has not been spared with the youth being the most affected.

“My Government is taking decisive actions using a whole of Government and society approach,” said President Mnangagwa.

The Plan outlines seven critical pillars which are drug and substance supply reduction, demand reduction, harm reduction, treatment and rehabilitation, psychosocial support, community reintegration as well as policy and legal enforcement.

President Mnangagwa commended the collaborative effort that resulted in the development of the Plan, thanking the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) and the National Drug and Substance Abuse Committee.