Government has approved the Report on the National Response to Drug and Substance Abuse, from 9 December 2025 to 15 March 2026, as efforts to curb the scourge continue to gain momentum.
Speaking during today’s Post-Cabinet briefing in Harare, Minister of Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services, Soda Zhemu said the report outlines significant progress made in supply reduction, rehabilitation and law enforcement.
“The Report on the National Response to Drug and Substance Abuse was considered and approved by Cabinet,” said Zhemu.
He said Government’s interventions have led to notable successes in disrupting drug networks across the country.
“A total of 3,193 accused persons were apprehended, while 2,113 were arraigned before the courts and 493 convictions were secured. The crackdown also netted 461 drug suppliers and 2,731 end-users, with 52 drug bases being dismantled countrywide,” he said.
Zhemu added that regulatory compliance inspections have also been intensified in the health sector.
“Inspections were conducted across 419 public and private health institutions, resulting in 29 premises being fined and closed for non-compliance,” he said.
He added that Government was now focusing on strengthening institutional frameworks and expanding support systems.
“Government seeks to strengthen institutional arrangements for drug enforcement and psycho-social support services through the establishment of a specialised National Drug and Substance Abuse Agency, as well as the expansion of rehabilitation centres across the country,” said Zhemu.
Furthemore, public awareness campaigns are to be intensified in order to reduce demand for drugs, particularly among young people.
“We will scale up awareness campaigns to influence behavioural change while strengthening enforcement and rehabilitation efforts to ensure affected individuals are reintegrated into society,” he said.
Meanwhile, Zimbabwe continues to implement a multi-sectoral approach to combat drug and substance abuse, combining law enforcement with rehabilitation and prevention strategies to address the growing challenge.
