Zim GBC News | Parliament and Legal
In a major escalation of the national fight against narcotics, the Zimbabwean government has gazetted legislation to create a powerful new agency dedicated to dismantling drug cartels and rehabilitating substance abusers.
The National Drug and Substance Abuse Control and Enforcement Agency Bill [H.B. 12, 2025], published on 10 October 2025, establishes a specialized institution with a dual mandate of enforcement and social support.
A Comprehensive Legislative Response
The Office of the Attorney General of Zimbabwe confirmed the significant development, stating:
“The National Drug and Substance Abuse Control and Enforcement Agency Bill [H.B. 12, 2025], gazetted on 10 October 2025, highlights the significant move Government is undertaking to combat drug and substance abuse.”
The new agency will operate through two distinct divisions – an Enforcement Division and a Social Services Intervention Division – representing a comprehensive approach to what authorities have described as a national crisis.
Dual-Pronged Strategy: Enforcement and Rehabilitation
The Enforcement Division will work closely with security services to target drug networks at their source. According to the legislation, “Section 4(1)(b) of the Bill empowers the Agency, in coordination with the Police Services and other Security Services, to dismantle drug trafficking and distribution networks by enforcing laws governing controlled substances.”
Simultaneously, the Social Services Intervention Division will focus on the human impact of the drug crisis, working to “facilitate re-integration of affected individuals into society, in partnership with health and social service providers.”
Addressing a National Emergency
The establishment of the agency comes amid growing concern about drug and substance abuse, which the government’s 2023 National Drug and Substance Abuse Policy linked to rising youth unemployment, gender-based violence, and urban crime.
The National Prosecuting Authority of Zimbabwe (NPAZ) emphasized the broader implications of the new law, noting:
“The establishment of this agency will have a significant impact on Zimbabwe’s fight against drug abuse. It will address the social and economic consequences, including family breakdowns, loss of education opportunities, and crime.”
The legislation marks the latest in a series of government measures aimed at confronting what officials have characterized as both a public health emergency and a security threat to the nation.
Public Engagement and Next Steps
Authorities have encouraged citizens to monitor the Bill’s parliamentary progress through the Attorney General’s official website, signaling a new phase in Zimbabwe’s war against narcotics that aims to strike at trafficking networks while providing recovery pathways for those affected by addiction.
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