Zim GBC News | Harare Correspondent
Harare, – In a decisive move to combat a rising tide of drug and substance abuse, the Government of Zimbabwe commissioned three new rehabilitation centres in Harare this Thursday, significantly expanding access to treatment while announcing a severe crackdown on suppliers.
The new facilities, which include the recently completed Wilkins Rehabilitation Centre, are part of a coordinated national response under the Drug and Substance Abuse Multi-Sectoral Action Plan launched by President Emmerson Mnangagwa in June 2024.
The initiative offers free testing and screening, with each centre capacitated to assess up to 30 individuals daily and handle extreme medical emergencies, including overdose.
“We have seen the need to partner government in combating the scourge of drug and substance abuse,” said Dr. Joel Tapi, a medical expert with the Zimbabwe Red Cross Society, which is supporting the government’s programmes.
“These facilities will be critical to providing testing and screening… and have been capacitated to deal with extreme emergencies such as overdose.”
Officiating at the commissioning, the Minister of Home Affairs and Cultural Heritage, Honourable Kazembe Kazembe, delivered a stern warning to drug networks while highlighting the devastating social cost.
“It is saddening that 60% of patients in our mental health institutions have drug-related disorders. The cost of responding to this scourge cannot be underestimated,” Minister Kazembe stated.
“We have so far arrested over 32,000 suspects linked to drug and substance abuse and we are not stopping. No one is immune to arrest—even politicians—if they are caught they will face the full wrath of the law.”
The government is also rolling out a massive testing programme nationwide. Honourable Sleiman Kwidini, Deputy Minister of Health and Child Care, revealed,
“Government has mobilised and distributed testing kits valued at US$1.2 million. This investment has ensured equitable access to services in urban and rural areas,” with a target of expanding to 2,500 institutions across the country.
The comprehensive strategy, as outlined in the national blueprint, focuses on five pillars: supply reduction, demand reduction, harm reduction, treatment and rehabilitation, and community reintegration.
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