Government has approved a multi disciplinary and multi-sectoral approach in order to address rampant substance abuse among the youth across the country.
The operation will be run under the theme “Operation Clean up Harare Ghetto.”
The government insisted that the operation will kick off in Harare and subsequently spread across the country and widened to Operation Clean Up Zimbabwe with a focus to curbing drug and substance abuse.
Addressing journalists during a post cabinet media briefing in Harare yesterday, Minister of Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services Monica Mutsvangwa said the approach will include intensification of prevention, harm reduction, treatment, rehabilitation, reduction of demand and elimination of supply and availability of illicit drugs on the market.
“The capacities, efficiency and activities of the police, justice and customs department will be complemented and strengthened.
“Cabinet noted with satisfaction the swift response by the country’s security forces which has resulted in the arrest of over 200 culprits involved in the trade of illicit substances and drug lords.
“These will face the full wrath of the law.” She said.
In the short term the government said it will deal with the scourge of substance abuse among others, operationalization of the Zimbabwe National Drug Master Plan (ZNDMP 2020 to 2025) and Treatment and Rehabilitation Guidelines of Alcohol and Substance Use Disorder of Zimbabwe (TRGASUD ZIM).
“Identifying and upgrading existing mental health institutions that can admit affected children, youths and adults including a dedicated child psychiatric hospital in each province until they have recovered.
“Establish a National Call Centre for drug and substance abuse which will provide online psychosocial support and related information and opening of Youth Centres and increasing empowerment opportunities for the youth and strengthening their vocational training programmes.” Mutsvangwa said.
The Information Minister reiterated that the government was going to set up recreational facilities and various entertainment programs which will occupy the youths and curb drug abuse.
“Establishment of family support structures and facilities to address the negative impacts of substance and drug addiction on the immediate and extended family, for example, family clubs, churches and faith-based organisations.” she said.
Furthermore, the minister said they will be training workshops for supervisors and other relevant personnel to prevent and deal with substance abuse in the workplace.
Youths across the country are taking illegal drugs such as mutoriro, guka, musombodhiya among others. These drugs have negative health impacts if they are consumed for a long period of time therefore the government’s master plan to come up with various programs to occupy youths will save many lives.
