Story by Memory Chamisa
GOVERNMENT has intensified its anti-drug and substance abuse campaign targeting motorists, with awareness programmes rolled out along major highways to curb road accidents during the Easter and Independence holidays.
The latest awareness sessions were held along the Harare-Nyamapanda Highway as the National Committee on Drug and Substance Abuse steps up efforts to promote responsible driving and reduce road carnage.
Authorities say the campaign combines enforcement, surveillance and community engagement, with motorists and passengers being educated on the dangers of driving under the influence of drugs and alcohol.
Motorists and passengers welcomed the initiative, saying it empowers travellers to speak out against reckless driving.
“These campaigns are helpful, especially to us passengers, so that we do not have to be quiet when the driver is intoxicated. It is our right to make him stop the bus or commuter omnibus, and we disembark rather than be silent and die if an accident occurs, which happens most of the time.
“Holidays such as these are prone to accidents, and people do not take these campaigns seriously, saying the stops are time-consuming and we want to get where we are going, but sometimes just to stop and listen is important.
“Drivers and passengers, we both need to be clean from alcohol and drugs if we are on the road. We appreciate the campaigns the government is doing during this Easter and Independence Holiday,” motorists said.
Principal Information Officer in the Ministry of Information,Publicity and Broadcasting Services, Mr Lenex Mandipaza, said the campaign will continue with sustained monitoring and further action against drug trafficking and related offences.
“We shall continue this campaign until the holidays are over across the country. The goal is to eventually reduce apprehensions as drug users are stopped from driving intoxicated . We are determined to tackle this growing issue as part of our upcoming Road Safety Strategy, which will set out how we make our roads safer for everyone. The campaign aims to stop the rise in cases and prevent more tragedies on our roads.”
Law enforcement agents are currently maintaining heavy presence on the roads to minimise road carnage, especially this Easter and Independence holiday .
