By Dickson Bandera
The Government of Zimbabwe has approved the establishment of a specialised National Drug and Substance Abuse Control and Enforcement Agency in a bold move to tackle the country’s escalating drug abuse crisis.
Speaking during Tuesday’s 21st Post-Cabinet Press Briefing, the Minister of Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services, Dr. Jenfan Muswere, said the new Agency would play a dual role of enforcement and social rehabilitation.
“The Cabinet has approved the National Drug and Substance Abuse Control and Enforcement Agency Bill,” Dr. Muswere announced. “This is a critical response to the organised networks fuelling drug peddling and the worrying rise in drug and substance abuse, especially among our youth.”
The Bill outlines the creation of two divisions: an Enforcement Division to coordinate operations and enforce compliance with drug laws, and a Social Services Intervention Division to ensure access to rehabilitation programmes and vocational training for affected communities.
Under the new law, the definition of dangerous drugs will be expanded to include a wider range of harmful substances to close legal loopholes.
Zimbabwe has seen a spike in substance abuse in recent years, with schools and communities struggling to cope with the consequences. President Mnangagwa’s administration declared drug and substance abuse a national threat in 2021 and has since intensified efforts to disrupt supply chains and rehabilitate users. A national policy and a task force has also been put in place.
Dr. Muswere added, “This Agency will strengthen our fight against the drug menace by combining robust enforcement with social support systems to give affected citizens, especially the youth, a chance at rehabilitation and reintegration.”
The new legislation is expected to complement other initiatives under the National Development Strategy 1 (NDS1), which aims to build resilient communities and safeguard the country’s human capital.
The Bill now awaits presentation before Parliament for debate and enactment.
