Story by Silibaziso Dlodlo
THE Bulawayo Metropolitan Provincial Committee on Drug and Substance Abuse says significant progress has been made in prevention, rehabilitation and public awareness programmes as efforts to curb drug and substance abuse gather momentum across the province.
Addressing the media, Bulawayo Metropolitan Minister of State for Provincial Affairs and Devolution, Honourable Judith Ncube, said the province is strengthening enforcement, improving coordination and expanding access to rehabilitation services.
“During the reporting period, inspections were conducted at rehabilitation facilities across the province to assess compliance with national standards and improve service delivery,” she said.
“Nine rehabilitation facilities were visited, including six operational centres and three still under development. Rehabilitation services continue to expand, with centres offering counselling, psychosocial support, medical assessments and structured recovery programmes.”
During the reporting period, 27 people were arrested for drug-related offences, while 19 were fined and 12 were successfully prosecuted and convicted.
The province also reached 63 275 people through drug and substance abuse awareness campaigns, with learners in primary and secondary schools forming the main target group to strengthen early prevention efforts.
In addition, 239 people received psychosocial support and counselling services, while 125 were admitted to rehabilitation programmes for treatment, recovery and reintegration.
