DRUG and substance abuse (DSA) has become an emergency public, development and national security challenge in Zimbabwe.
This is revealed in the joint presentation by National Aids Council Bulawayo co-ordinator, Douglass Moyo, and Mpilo Hospital Centre of Excellence medical director Nkazimulo Tshuma.
The presentation was based on the topic Integrating 4 Pillars during a media engagement seminar held in Esigodini, Matabeleland South province, last week.
“DSA has become a significant public health, development and national security challenge in Zimbabwe and a potential threat to the country’s development trajectory,” the presentation read.
“It is a multi-dimensional challenge driven by behavioural, social, economic, and institutional factors.”
They said there was a need to address the problem as DSA was a threat to the country’s social stability, economic development, security and demographic.
The presented noted that leveraging available resources and assets in DSA control and responses was a necessity.
They called for non-stigmatisation and promotion of DSA interventions and responses to ensure respect, dignity and rights of individuals. In the seven Pillars of the Multi Sectoral DSA Plan, they said supply reduction would aid the fight against drug and substance abuse.
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“This aims to disrupt the production, distribution, trafficking, and supply of illicit drugs and substances, and curtail illicit financial flows and criminal activities related to drugs, through law enforcement,” the presentation reads.
They also called for policy and legal enforcement that focuses on policy advocacy to harmonise frameworks to address DSA. As of last year in August, the Development Aid report stated that Zimbabwe is in the grip of a devastating drug abuse epidemic that has left thousands of young people addicted and vulnerable.
The report stated that the crisis has spiralled out of control, with streets and homeless shelters filled with individuals who are struggling with substance abuse.
Last year, Zimbabwe launched the Zimbabwe Multi-sectoral Drug and Substance Abuse Plan.
