drone-depositphotos
BY MUNYARADZI BLESSING DOMA
The Inter-Ministerial Task Force on Drugs and Substance Abuse has revealed that drones are now being used to monitor the country’s border areas so as to curb the smuggling and trafficking of drugs.
Presenting a report from the task force, Minister of Defence Oppah Muchinguri-Kashiri who is also the Chairperson of the National Committee on Drugs and Substance Abuse, said drones are being used in addition to the traditional surveillance at the country’s points of entry.
According to Wikipedia, a drone is an unmanned aerial vehicle.
In this case it has a camera attached to it for surveillance.
It was also heard during Tuesday’s Cabinet that “four ZRP (Zimbabwe Republic Police) Drugs and Narcotics Units have been established at four border posts, namely: Beitbridge; Victoria Falls; Chirundu; and Mutare.
“These posts at points of entry are meant to curtail the inflow of drugs. Inland posts have also been established at the Robert Gabriel Mugabe, Joshua Mqabuko Nkomo and Victoria Falls airports”.
The National Committee which meets regularly has reports from pillars covering period between July 7 to September 23 this year.
And the pillars are; the Supply Reduction; Demand Reduction; Harm Reduction, Treatment and Rehabilitation; Psycho-Social Support and Community Re-Integration; Media and Information pillars.
“Under the Supply Reduction Pillar; raids and operations against drug suppliers, dealers and peddlers are regularly conducted, and a total of 5 367 offenders were arrested during the period 7th July to 23rd September, 2023.
“This represents a sharp increase on the 4 328 arrests made for the whole year of 2022. A total of 81 bases, where drug users and peddlers converge to sell and consume drugs, were destroyed during the period under review.
“Interventions by the Liquor Licensing Board have reduced unlicensed liquor outlets, vendors and peddlers as well as licensed outlets operating outside the agreed terms and conditions.
“These include inspections of premises, investigations against public complaints and cancellation of licenses.
“The Medicines Control Authority of Zimbabwe (MCAZ) has cancelled 7 licenses for wholesalers and deregistered one.
“Going forward, Cabinet agreed to enact the relevant legislation for the establishment of a Drug Elimination Agency to govern and coordinate all national activities on drug and substance abuse,” read the post Cabinet briefing.
Under the Drug Reduction Pillar, it was reported that there is need to raise awareness and public education; peer-to-peer support; guidance and counselling; community dialogues; exhibitions; and livelihood skills and entrepreneurship capacity building programmes so as to reduce the desire of illicit and illegal drugs.
Awareness programmes reached 715 515 people through various activities including Higher and Tertiary Education institutions mandatory awareness campaigns, and engaging artists and sportspersons as Ambassadors.
It was also reported that the National Committee is developing standard information dissemination tools which will be used by the sub-national structures, traditional leadership and religious organizations in conscientizing families and communities.
And guidance and counselling sessions as well as maintenance of a safe school environment continue to be a priority for Government.
“Under the Harm Reduction, Treatment and Rehabilitation Pillar, drug rehabilitation services were provided in Government and private health institutions.
“A total of 1 093 new patients were attended to at mental health institutions. Of special note is that the first stand alone Government drug rehabilitation centre was opened at Chipadze Detox Centre on 24 July 2023.
“Pertaining to Psycho-Social Support and Community Re-integration, there are two outpatient rehabilitation and psycho-social support centres in Bulawayo and in Harare.
“Other activities under the pillar include parenting programmes, online psycho-social support services, and research and evidence gathering,” further read the post Cabinet briefing.
Meanwhile Cabinet also resolved that Doctor Agnes Mahomva who was recently appointed the Public Health Advisor to the President and Cabinet, be appointed as the National Coordinator of Inter-Ministerial Taskforce on Drugs and Substance Abuse.
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