Story by Theophilus Chuma
REHABILITATION programmes for drug and substance abuse survivors have been stepped up following the commissioning of three new centres in Harare this Thursday.
Government has also announced a major crackdown on drug peddlers and suppliers of illegal and dangerous substances as part of efforts to curb the growing scourge.
Quietly seated, they wait patiently for their turn to be tested and assessed for the presence of harmful drugs. For many, it is a battle they have endured for years, one they have now chosen to walk away from, marking the beginning of a journey towards recovery and reintegration.
A free testing and screening initiative may never have come at a better moment for them.
Dr Joel Tapi is a medical expert with the Zimbabwe Red Cross Society, the latest organisation to partner government to promote reduction and rehabilitation programmes for survivors of drug and substance abuse.
“We have seen the need to partner government to combating the scourge of drug and substance abuse. These facilities will be critical to providing testing and screening of up to 30 individuals per day and have been capacitated to deal with extreme emergencies such as overdose,” he said.
The facilities were assessed and commissioned by government this Thursday, along with the recently completed Wilkins Rehabilitation Centre.
On behalf of Minister of Defence, Honourable Oppah Muchinguri Kashiri, the Minister of Home Affairs and Cultural Heritage, Honourable Kazembe Kazembe stated that while curative measures are being implemented, stricter measures are also targeting peddlers and suppliers.
“Today’s event speaks to the dictates of the Drug and Substance Abuse Multi-Sectoral Action Plan launched by His Excellency the President, Dr. Emmerson Mnangagwa on June 24 2024. Through this blueprint, our President has indeed inspired Zimbabweans to join hands in the fight against this vicious and threatening war. It is saddening that 60 % of patients in our mental health institutions have drug-related disorders. The cost of responding to this scourge cannot be underestimated. We have so far arrested over 32 000 suspects linked to drug and substance abuse and we are not stopping. No one is immune to arrest even politicians if they are caught they will face the full wrath of the law,” he said.
Government is also targeting to expand the testing and screening programme to at least 2 500 institutions across the country.
“Government has mobilised and distributed testing kits valued at US%1.2 million. This investment has ensured equitable access to services in urban and rural areas,” Deputy Minister Health and Child Care, Honourable Sleiman Kwidini said.
Through the Zimbabwe Multi Sectoral Drug Abuse Plan, government has emphasised focus on supply reduction, demand reduction, harm reduction, treatment and rehabilitation, and community reintegration.
