Zimbabwe Calls for International Support in Combating Drug Crisis

By George Swarei
In a high-level address at the 67th session of the Commission on Narcotic Drugs (CND) in Vienna, Austria, Honourable Kazembe Kazembe (MP), the Minister of Home Affairs and Cultural Heritage, reiterated Zimbabwe’s commitment to addressing the global drug problem. Expressing concern over the worsening drug crisis, Minister Kazembe highlighted the devastating impact on Zimbabwe’s youth, compounded by the challenges posed by the Covid-19 pandemic and climate change-induced disasters.
Drawing attention to the obstacles faced by developing countries, Minister Kazembe underscored the detrimental effects of illegal economic sanctions imposed on Zimbabwe since 2000. These sanctions, he argued, hamper the nation’s ability to access vital resources necessary for combating illicit drug challenges. He echoed President E.D. Mnangagwa’s call for the immediate removal of these sanctions, aligning with regional and international resolutions.
Recognizing the cross-border nature of drug trafficking, Zimbabwe emphasized the importance of coordinated international cooperation. The country has collaborated with organizations such as the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) to enhance its response to drug-related challenges, including successful seizures and interdictions of illicit drugs.
Minister Kazembe outlined Zimbabwe’s comprehensive approach to addressing the drug problem, including the establishment of a National Taskforce on Drug and Substance Abuse in April 2022. This taskforce operates across multiple pillars, including supply reduction, demand reduction, and harm reduction.
In a bid to strengthen its efforts, Zimbabwe announced pledges to convert decommissioned COVID-19 isolation facilities into comprehensive drug treatment and rehabilitation centers, establish a National Drug and Substance Agency, and allocate funds towards drug and substance abuse programs.
Zimbabwe reaffirmed its commitment to collaborating with UNODC and other stakeholders to tackle the scourge of drug and substance abuse, aiming to fulfill international commitments and effectively address domestic challenges.