The ManicaPost
Cletus Mushanawani
News Editor
INFORMATION, Publicity and Broadcasting Services Minister, Dr Jenfan Muswere, has said the National Committee on Drug and Substance Abuse is determined to achieve the mandate given by President Mnangagwa and Cabinet and will leave no stone unturned in its vicious fight against drug and substance abuse.
Addressing the Manicaland provincial committee on drug and substance abuse in Mutare this afternoon, Minister Muswere, said drug and substance abuse is now one of the top-ranking disasters wreaking havoc in many societies across the world and Zimbabwe is not spared.
“Recent studies done in Zimbabwe revealed an estimated 7.1 percent of young people abuse drugs, with the most prevalent drugs being cannabis, crystal meth, broncleer, skin lighteners, illicit beverage and body enlargement products. Children as young as 10 years old are now engaging in Drug and Substance Abuse.
“Just like Covid, drug and substance abuse has affected our nation and in particular the mental health of our most productive age group. It is against this background that in April 2022, His Excellency, President Mnangagwa established the Inter-ministerial Taskforce to address this menace,” said Minister Muswere.
Minister of State for Manicaland Provincial Affairs and Devolution, Advocate Misheck Mugadza said Manicaland like all the other provinces across the country was seized with the issue of drug and substance abuse.
“The task ahead of us is huge and a lot of work has to be done. As a province, there is no doubt that we will be equal to the task since it is a known fact that drug and substance abuse is negatively impacting on the social fabric of the society and the economic development of this province.
“Let me assure you that we are fully committed to eliminate the drug and substance abuse menace. The support from the National Committee to deal with the matters of policy intervention and resource availability cannot be over-emphasised if we are to achieve our goal as a province and the nation at large,” said Minister Mugadza.
