By Evans Dakwa
Harare- President Emmerson Mnangagwa led from the front as Zimbabwe commemorated United Nations International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking in style by launching a Drug and Substance Abuse Plan covering the period 2024-30 as the country bolster efforts to deal with the drug scourge afflicting the nation.
This year’s International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking is being held under the theme “The Evidence is Clear: Invest in Prevention,” emphasising the need for society to pay more attention to people who are at risk of developing a drug problem, something that has become that has become even more pertinent in a Zimbabwe that has an exponentially growing drug problem.
Officiating at the commemoration and launch of the Zimbabwe Multi-Sectoral Drug and Substance Abuse Plan (2024-2030), President Mnangagwa bemoaned the negative impact of and substance abuse to the development aspiration of the country saying there is no nation which will develop in totality if a portion of its citizens is addicted to drugs.
“Drug and substance abuse has become a significant public health, socio-economic and national security challenge as well as potential threat to the country’s development trajectory. It also has far-reaching consequences on drug users such as poor health aftermaths, social and economic problems, as well as psychosocial effects, among a range of 4 negative outcomes. This scourge knows no bounds. It is affecting all socio-economic levels and across religious groupings, destroying lives and families. This public health concern is further undermining the social fabric of our beautiful nation, particularly the youth who are productive segments of our economy,” said the President.
The President decried the health effects associated with drug and substance abuse with so many deaths and sicknesses emanating thereof and highlighting the steps the Government of Zimbabwe has been taking to deal with the problem including the setting up of the inter-ministerial committee that has led to the launch of the Drug and Substance Abuse Plan.
“We are also launching the Zimbabwe Multi-Sectoral Drug and Substance Abuse Plan (2024-2030). This Plan avails us with a detailed roadmap that will guide our nation’s response to Drug and Substance Abuse in a comprehensive and collaborative manner. The thrust of the Plan is to improve the health and security of Zimbabweans as enshrined in its Vision of A Healthy and Secure Nation Free From Illicit Drugs and Substances. As outlined, we are committed to support multi-stakeholder engagement and actions 6 across the whole of Government and different sectors through targeted and collaborative interventions,” said His Excellency.
As part of operationalisation and implementation of the launched strategy, President Mnangagwa said Government will establish National Drug Agency.
“The Agency will provide high level strategic leadership, coordinate implementation of the Drug and Substance Abuse Plan and promote multi-sectoral actions aligned with national priorities. Further, it will be tasked with ensuring alignment to regional and international frameworks within our country.”
The country has not been spared from the menacing drug challenge affecting the world with many young people being victims, the launch today speaks volume to the Second Republic’s commitment to dealing with this problem head on.