MIDWEEK REPORTER
MUTARE – Government has declared war on drug lords and drug peddlers following an upsurge in drug and substance abuse especially among youths across the country.
Speaking at the drug and substance abuse roll-out program in Mutare on Sunday, Minister of Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services Jenfan Muswere said the government will leave no stone unturned in the fight against drug and substance abuse.
Muswere said drug lords and drug peddlers will face the full wrath of the law regardless of their status in society.
“We need to take this seriously; this is a man-made problem. It is a cartel of criminals who should be dealt with.
“We will leave no stone unturned as we endeavour to destroy all these networks, peddlers, the clientele base. Everyone associated, be it a politician, civic society leader or civil servant involved in this menace, we should destroy,” said Muswere.
He encouraged stakeholder collaboration in the fight against drug and substance abuse especially at ports of entry.
“We have got a border here, Forbes border post and other illegal crossing points, let us work together to destroy this menace,” added Muswere.
The drug and substance abuse program will be rolled-out to provinces, districts and wards as part of government’s efforts to nip the scourge in the bud.
The drug and substance abuse is a recurring challenge that threatens the future of the young generation and the country’s development trajectory.
Drugs which are commonly used include illicit alcohol, methamphetamine (crystal meth) popularly known as mutoriro, cough syrups containing codeine and marijuana.
