All hands on deck against drug abuse 

Source: All hands on deck against drug abuse – herald

Wallace Ruzvidzo

 Herald Reporter

DRUG and substance abuse continues to rob the nation of one of its most valuable assets—its human capital —and the fight against the scourge must be sustained with vigilance, Defence Minister Oppah Muchinguri-Kashiri has said.

The National Committee on Drug and Substance Abuse is embarking on nationwide provincial interface meetings on drugs and substance abuse, which began with Harare Province yesterday.

Delivering remarks on behalf of the committee’s chairperson, Minister Oppah Muchinguri-Kashiri, vice chairperson and Home Affairs and Cultural Heritage Minister Kazembe Kazembe said the engagements reflect Government’s unwavering commitment to strengthening its collective response to one of the most pressing social, public health and national development challenges facing the country today.

“Your presence here is a clear demonstration that the fight against drug and substance abuse is not the responsibility of one institution alone, but a shared national obligation requiring the active participation of every sector of society.

“Drugs and substances destroy families, disrupt education, fuel crime, increase the burden of disease, put pressure on the fiscus, undermine economic productivity and deprive our young people of the opportunity to realise their full potential,” she said.

Minister Muchinguri-Kashiri called on Zimbabweans to join the fight against drug and substance abuse.

“Government alone cannot curb drug and substance abuse.

“As we execute this mandate, we remain guided by His Excellency’s enduring mantra of Nyika Inovakwa Nevene Vayo.

“This profound statement reminds us that the responsibility of building a healthy, safe and prosperous Zimbabwe rests with all of us. Government alone cannot curb drug and substance abuse.

“Every citizen has a role to play in protecting our communities from this destructive scourge.

“Equally important is His Excellency President Mnangagwa’s unwavering commitment to ensuring that we leave no one and no place behind.

“This principle must remain at the centre of our national response,” she said.

The Minister said every young person trapped in addiction deserves an opportunity to recover, and every family affected deserves support.

“Every community deserves access to information, prevention, treatment, rehabilitation and community reintegration services.

“Every province, every district and every ward must become an active participant in this national mission,” she said.

In an interview, Minister Kazembe said drugs and substances were “killing the future of this nation”, hence Government would continue intensifying efforts to combat the scourge.

“Because that age group consists of our future leaders, future teachers, future journalists and future doctors.

“So, what are we doing as a nation? We all have a collective responsibility to ensure that we fight this menace and this scourge so that we protect the future of our youth,” he said.

Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services Minister Dr Zhemu Soda urged the media to continue playing its role under the advocacy and communication pillar.

“People have to be informed.

“We have just spoken about the outreach programmes that are being conducted, and whenever those outreach programmes are undertaken, it matters most when the voices are amplified, especially through the advocacy and communication pillar,” he said.