Zim receives anti-narcotics laboratory equipment from China
Story by Peter Chivhima
THE Days are numbered for dangerous drug dealers after the government received anti-narcotics laboratory equipment worth more than US$100 000 from the People’s Republic of China.
The anti-narcotics laboratory equipment which identifies drugs and their accompanying substances in suspected samples was handed over to the Zimbabwe Republic Police by the Chinese ambassador to Zimbabwe, His Excellency Zhou Ding at CID Headquarters in Harare this Thursday.
Ambassador Zhou Ding said the equipment will be used to strengthen the country’s fight against drug and substance abuse.
“China calls for an equal and orderly multipolar world and a universally beneficial and inclusive economic globalisation on this basis, China seeks to work with Zimbabwe, to meet the challenges and achieve prosperity for all. Going forward, China will implement more development cooperation projects in Zimbabwe to strengthen our comprehensive strategic partnership, and deliver more benefits to the Zimbabwean people,” he said.
ZRP Commissioner General Godwin Matanga and the Minister of Home Affairs and Cultural Heritage Honourable Kazembe Kazembe expressed gratitude to the Asian giant for the equipment which comes at a time when Zimbabwe has stepped up the fight against Drug abuse.
“We remain grateful for the Government of the Republic of China. This is a testimony of the seamless relationship between Zimbabwe and the government of the Republic of China,” he said.
“Today’s handover ceremony is yet another milestone support in our quest to mitigate the effects of drug and substance abuse which have reached unprecedented levels, especially amongst the youths. Your Excellency, it is not in dispute that drug and substance abuse breeds a docile and non-productive community which negatively impacts our vision of attaining an upper middle-class economy by the year 2030. It burdens the economy as funds that could be used for other developmental purposes are channeled toward the treatment and rehabilitation of those affected. It is therefore pleasing to note that, this analysis equipment will go a long way in strengthening the capacity of law enforcement agencies to identify drugs and improve detection levels,” said the Minister of Home Affairs and Cultural Heritage, Honourable Kazembe Kazembe.
The government has taken the lead in the fight to curb drug and substance abuse by setting up a national committee to eliminate the social ill.
There are also sustained efforts to name and shame drug kingpins as well as arresting drug peddlers.
