President Mnangagwa is taken through the exhibitions of various prohibited drugs and substances at State House today.
By George Swarei
Harare, June 26, 2024— President Emmerson Mnangagwa today launched the Zimbabwe Multi-Sectoral Drug and Substance Abuse Plan (2024-2030), coinciding with the United Nations International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking.
The event, held in Harare, saw attendance from high-ranking officials, including Vice Presidents Constantino Chiwenga and Kembo Mohadi, Defence Minister Oppah Muchinguri-Kashiri, Chief Justice Luke Malaba, and Speaker of Parliament Advocate Jacob Mudenda.
The launch comes at a time Zimbabwe is grappling with Drug and Substance Abuse.
President Mnangagwa emphasized the urgent need to address the country’s drug abuse crisis, highlighting its impact on public health, socio-economic stability, and national security.
“No nation can fully develop if a portion of its citizens is addicted to drugs,” he noted.
The new plan is structured around seven key pillars: supply reduction, demand reduction, harm reduction, treatment and rehabilitation, psychosocial support, policy and legal enforcement, and media and communication.
The plan aims to tackle drug abuse through coordinated efforts across various sectors, involving both government and community stakeholders.
The President also announced the establishment of a National Drug Agency to lead and coordinate the plan’s implementation, ensuring alignment with national priorities and international frameworks.
The initiative is supported by the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) and the National Drug and Substance Abuse Committee. Mnangagwa called for collective action, urging families, communities, and young people to actively participate in combating drug abuse.
In his closing remarks, President Mnangagwa expressed confidence in the plan’s success, stressing the importance of unity and scientifically driven strategies in overcoming the drug abuse challenge. He declared the Zimbabwe Multi-Sectoral Drug and Substance Abuse Plan officially launched, reaffirming the nation’s commitment to a drug-free future.
“Together we can create a safer and healthier future for our country,” president Mnangagwa concluded.
