POLICE have destroyed 80 illegal drug bases and arrested close to 10 000 offenders between September 2024 and January this year as government intensifies the campaign against drug and substance abuse.
During the 2nd post-Cabinet media briefing yesterday, Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services minister Jenfan Muswere said the figures included 616 suppliers while 8 911 were end users.
He said collaboration with international law enforcement agencies led to the arrest of three people carrying 23 kilogrammes of dagga in Zambia.
“Cabinet wishes to advise the nation that during the period under review, 79 illegal drug bases were destroyed, with a total of 9 527 offenders arrested. The Medicines Control Authority of Zimbabwe conducted 117 inspections and closed five non-compliant premises,” he said.
Muswere also revealed that 155 421 youth benefited from vocational training programmes while the Primary and Secondary Education ministry integrated drug and substance abuse into the school curricula, reaching 7 274 939 learners with 62 656 students engaged in prevention programmes through the Higher and Tertiary Education, Innovation, Science and Technology Development ministry.
“The Ministry of Women Affairs, Community, Small and Medium Enterprises Development conducted awareness programmes, reaching 111 537 people. The nation is informed that the Ministry of Sport, Recreation and Arts engaged 11 836 participants in cultural and sports events, while religious organisations educated 16 759 congregants through sermons and awareness programmes,” he said.
“Entities such as Visionary Cadres Association of Zimbabwe and Mubatirapamwe reached over 2 130 people with drug abuse prevention messages. The nation is further informed that three new rehabilitation centres were established in Victoria Falls, Harare and Kwekwe.
“A total of 13 695 people received psycho-social support to assist with reintegration, while 886 individuals were reintegrated into their families;
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6 695 parents attended parenting sessions and 1 161 people were reached through the online support platform.”
Meanwhile, Home Affairs and Cultural Heritage minister Kazembe Kazembe, speaking during the opening of the 2025 senior officials workshop, said ZRP should take heed of the continuous drug and substance abuse by the young people in the country.
“Drug and substance abuse continues to be a thorny issue in our country. You must be leaders who are driven by the desire to motivate the ground forces. These issues should not be taken lightly as they have a bearing on the national socio-economic progression,” he said.
“As police, therefore, you must redouble your efforts in guaranteeing a safer Zimbabwe for its citizens. As commanders, you must take a keen interest in cultivating relations with traditional leadership and key personalities in your various areas.”
