Zim government intensifies fight against illicit drugs, alcohol and substances

BY PRIDE MZARABANI

Zim Government continues to intensify the fight against illegal drugs, substances and alcohol throughout the country with a total of 486 offenders arrested revealed Minister Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services Jenfan Muswere in a post-Cabinet media briefing in Harare this Tuesday.

“A total of 486 (451 males and 35 females) offenders were arrested, out of the 486 offenders 20 were suppliers who were referred to court, while 466 were drug dealers who paid deposit fines,” he said.

Muswere said the Liquor Licencing Board conducted compliance inspections of alcohol outlets in the satellite town of Epworth and found 15 operating without licences.

“A total of 85 premises were inspected and of these, 15 were operating without licences. The unlicenced cases were referred to the Police Licencing Inspectorate Department for further management,” said Muswere.

The minister said weekly awareness campaigns will continue as a way to stop inflows of drugs and substances.

“Weekly awareness campaigns continue to be a priority, and the collective campaigns at primary education level have reached 410 473 learners (194 398 male and 216 075 female). As a behaviour change intervention, the education sector continues to facilitate students to interact with offenders in a bid to educate them on the danger of abusing drugs and substances and the effects thereof. Community outreaches are being carried out through Information, Education and Communication (IEC) materials,” said Muswere.