MARTIN MAWAYA
HARARE-Government is set to re-introduce the discredited Zimbabwe Youth Service program at Dayadaya and Vumba training centres in June 2024, as the country intensifies efforts to combat drug and substance abuse, a cabinet Minister has said.
Oppah Muchinguri-Kashiri, the Chairperson of the Inter-Ministerial committee on drugs and substance abuse, told the 11th cabinet meeting yesterday that the reopening of the youth service centers coincides with the approval of the 2024-2030 Zimbabwe Multi-Sectoral Plan on Drug and Substance Abuse.
This comprehensive approach outlines strategies to tackle the drug menace.
Muchinguri-Kashiri revealed that over 600 drug peddlers had been arrested nationwide since the beginning of the year.
Additionally, the government has approved the principles for the enactment of the Zimbabwe Drug and Substance Agency Bill.
“Since January 2024 about 6 148 people were arrested, 677 were suppliers and 5471 were end-users. A total of 106 illegal drug and substance trading basis were identified, raided and destroyed in Harare, Shamva, Chinhoyi, Bindura, Bulawayo and Mutare,” said the Minister.
She further reported that 51 liquor outlets were charged for operating without licenses, while 268 operators have been arrested for violating license conditions.
Moreover, 17 outlets have had their licenses canceled due to non-compliance with operating conditions, added Defense Minister Muchinguri-Kashiri.
In addition, the government has conducted a total of 311 inspections on medicine outlets throughout the country, resulting in the confiscation of 62 types of illicit medicines.
The Minister informed cabinet that the decentralization of the Drug and Narcotics Department will be expedited, with a focus on accelerating awareness campaigns on drug and substance abuse for adults, youths, and children.
However, some local health experts have expressed concerns, stating that the national youth service is not the sole solution to fighting drug abuse, as it is often used as a conduit to benefit the ruling political party.
They suggest that the government should address the root causes, such as porous borders, unemployment and enact stricter laws for illegal drug barons and users.
The experts also recommend the addition of more vocational centers with affordable tuition and diverse offerings to include everyone without politicizing the institutions.
The most prevalent drugs in Zimbabwe include cannabis, crystal meth, broncleer, skin lighteners, and illicit beverages, among others.
