Story by Mercy Matinha
EFFORTS to combat drug and substance abuse are gaining momentum in Masvingo Province, with authorities intensifying community-based interventions aimed at rehabilitating and reintegrating affected individuals.
The province is rolling out District Drug and Substance Abuse (DSA) Technical Committee training programmes under the Zimbabwe Multi-Sectoral Drug and Substance Abuse Plan (2024–2030), a strategy designed to strengthen community support systems and promote coordinated responses to the growing challenge.
Masvingo Minister of State for Provincial Affairs and Devolution, Honourable Ezra Chadzamira, said drug and substance abuse remains a serious threat to national development and requires a collective response from all sectors of society.
“Drug and substance abuse is a growing threat to the nation’s health, security, economy and social stability. In April 2024, Cabinet approved the Zimbabwe Multi-Sectoral Drug and Substance Abuse Plan 2024–2030. The plan provides strategic direction to the nation’s response to the drug and substance abuse challenge and ensures that communities, families and individuals are fully supported as the country moves towards Vision 2030, leaving no one and no place behind,” he said.
Honourable Chadzamira said the province has embarked on training District DSA Technical Committees under the community reintegration pillar of the national strategy.
“These trainings are bringing out the effects and experiences encountered by families, communities and the province at large. Our traditional leaders, religious leaders and development partners are in full support of this Government initiative, reflected by their attendance and participation during the training,” he said.
To date, three districts, Chiredzi, Mwenezi and Bikita have completed the training programme, while the remaining districts are expected to be covered before the end of June 2026.
Honourable Chadzamira emphasised that addressing drug and substance abuse requires a comprehensive and coordinated approach involving all stakeholders.
“The Government recognises that drug and substance abuse is multifaceted and requires multi-sectoral responses and system-wide action for a healthy and secure nation that is free of illicit drug and substance abuse. Implementation of this Multi-Sectoral Drug and Substance Abuse Plan 2024–2030 therefore requires all stakeholders to have unity of purpose,” he said.
The training programme forms part of broader national efforts to strengthen prevention, treatment, rehabilitation and reintegration initiatives as Zimbabwe intensifies its campaign against drug and substance abuse.
