Government has moved to operationalise specialised Drug and Substance Abuse Courts as part of its intensified fight against the country’s escalating drug crisis, Justice, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Ziyambi Ziyambi said yesterday.
Speaking at the opening of the Drug and Substance Abuse Courts Training Programme at Rainbow Towers Hotel, Ziyambi described the initiative as “a shared and solemn commitment” to create a justice system that balances accountability with rehabilitation.
“The Government of the Republic of Zimbabwe condemns in the strongest terms the scourge of drug and substance abuse. We gather here not merely to attend a training session, but to affirm a shared and solemn commitment… to a specialised, efficient and health-centred justice delivery system that protects our society while rehabilitating those caught in the web of addiction,” The Minister declared
Ziyambi said the training marked the beginning of equipping magistrates and prosecutors with the knowledge and tools to handle drug-related cases swiftly and fairly.
“These are the men and women who are on the front line of our criminal justice system and who will be central to the operationalisation of the Drug and Substance Abuse Courts,” he said.
Citing recent statistics, the Minister painted a bleak picture of the crisis.
“Approximately sixty percent of admissions to our mental health institutions are related to substance use disorders. The substances plaguing our communities range from illicit alcohol and cannabis to dangerously addictive synthetic drugs such as crystal methamphetamine, known locally as mutoriro,” he revealed
He added that the problem was not only a public health issue but also a threat to national security and economic development.
“Arrest and incarceration are not a viable solution to cure addiction, nor can the arrest and prosecution of a few individuals halt the organised criminal networks responsible for the distribution of illegal drugs,” he said.
The Minister confirmed that Government is drafting a National Drug and Substance Abuse Control and Enforcement Agency Bill to establish a specialised agency to spearhead enforcement and rehabilitation efforts.
“This Bill will establish an Enforcement Division to lead operations and a Social Services Intervention Division to coordinate counselling, vocational training and rehabilitation programmes,” he explained.
Describing the training as “a significant milestone in our national fight against drug and substance abuse,” Ziyambi urged prosecutors and magistrates to rise to the challenge.
“It is now up to the magistrates and prosecutors here present to play their envisioned role. The work you will undertake will be instrumental in turning the tide against drug and substance abuse,” he said
Paida Shuro a social welfare analyst and commentator applauded the launch of the training programme stating that it signals a decisive step in aligning the justice system with Zimbabwe’s wider national response to drug and substance abuse.
“By institutionalising specialised courts and developing a dedicated enforcement agency, the Government is seeking to move beyond punitive measures towards a more coordinated framework that integrates law enforcement, rehabilitation, and community protection,” Shuro noted
