War on Drugs and Substance Abuse Escalates

The government, through the Cabinet National Committee on Drugs and Substance Abuse, is crafting a Statutory Instrument (S.I) that will enforce punitive penalties for drug and illicit substance peddlers, couriers, and users.

Addressing thousands of Zanu PF Women’s League delegates in Harare yesterday at the launch of the Women’s League Empowerment Fund, Defence Minister and Chairperson of the Cabinet Committee on Drugs and Substance Abuse, Cde Oppah Muchinguri-Kashiri, issued a stern warning that those involved in the trade will soon face jail time.

“A person who uses drugs and illicit substances is an enemy of the State because they hinder development.

“Through consultations being conducted by my Committee and other relevant government departments, we are crafting a Statutory Instrument to end this drug epidemic.

“Those involved in the trade and end users will no longer be allowed to pay fines at police stations. Under the S.I., these rogue elements will be brought before the courts and face stiffer jail terms of up to 15 years,” warned Cde Muchinguru-Kashiri.

She said the current war on drugs is making progress, but much more still needs to be done to stop the menace from spreading across the country.

“It is now saddening that even doctors and lawyers have become victims of drug and substance abuse,” said Cde Muchinguri-Kashiri. Recently, the Health Minister revealed that over 70 medical practitioners across the country have fallen victim to drug and substance disorders.

Cde Muchinguri-Kashiri added that her Committee is setting up more than 60 rehabilitation centres to help victims. “President Emmerson Mnangagwa mandated us to establish 67 rehabilitation centres across the country, and several are now nearing completion,” she said.

Over the past months, the police have intensified the fight against drugs, with thousands prosecuted for drug-related offenses.