Story by Abigirl Tembo, Health Editor

PRISON officers and inmates have been empowered to fight drug and substance abuse through a training programme organised by Corporate Chaplaincy Services.

A total of 125 participants drawn from across the Zimbabwe Prisons and Correctional Service’s 10 administrative provinces including Chaplains, officers, dependents and inmates affected by drug and substance abuse attended a training programme aimed at adding value to the country’s fight against scourge.

According to the Minister of Justice, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs Honourable Ziyambi Ziyambi, the onus is on every Zimbabwean to fight the menace of drug and substance abuse.

“The responsibility to fight drugs and substance abuse is between you and me and the community at large. Every person must take it upon themselves to ensure that they fight this scourge that has come to our country,” he said.

The four-day training programme aimed at providing solutions to problems associated with drug and substance abuse imparted knowledge on modern ways of dealing with those affected by drug and substance abuse.

It was also meant to equip chaplains, prison officers and dependents with rehabilitative skills and prepare those affected for reintegration after undergoing rehabilitation.