This approach focuses on rehabilitating individuals who struggle with drug use, often exploited by drug traffickers, to prevent their potential entanglement in criminal activity and subsequent hardened criminal behaviour that may result from incarceration alongside experienced offenders.
Ambience Reporter
ON June 26 President Mnangagwa launched Zimbabwe’s Multi-Sectoral Drug and Substance Abuse Plan,
“Yesterday, I announced the launch of Zimbabwe’s Multi-Sectoral Drug and Substance Abuse Plan. This initiative addresses the rampant drug and substance abuse in our communities with a comprehensive strategy based on seven key pillars: supply reduction, demand reduction, harm reduction, treatment and rehabilitation, community reintegration, policy and legal enforcement, and media and communication. We extend our sincere gratitude to UNICEF for their invaluable support in developing and launching this plan. Together, we will build a healthier and safer Zimbabwe,” wrote President Mnangagwa on his Facebook account after launching the plan.
The facts
The Multi-Sectoral Drug and Substance Abuse Plan, to which the Zimbabwean government is aligned, proposes to advocate for the decriminalisation of drug use and drug possession for personal use.
However, it is worth noting that the Government does not endorse the use of harmful substances.
Drug possession remains unlawful in Zimbabwe, and Section 157(2) of the Criminal Law (Codification and Reform) Act allows courts to impose sentences that require addiction treatment, in addition to or instead of other penalties.
The Plan emphasizes the involvement of rehabilitation, specifically for those willing to quit drug and substance abuse and not re-offend.
With the belief that incarceration should be the last resort, the plan calls for a rehabilitative approach for drug users and offenders found possessing small amounts of drugs for personal use.
The aim is to provide an alternate sentencing, focusing on rehabilitation to help them stay away from drugs.
If an individual fails to be rehabilitated and re-offends, then incarceration may be considered.
This approach focuses on rehabilitating individuals who struggle with drug use, often exploited by drug traffickers, to prevent their potential entanglement in criminal activity and subsequent hardened criminal behaviour that may result from incarceration alongside experienced offenders.
The goal is to keep first-time and recreational drug users away from seasoned criminals as much as possible.
This approach seeks to prevent potentially productive and responsible citizens from being lost to the prison system by handling the situation differently.
The Zimbabwe Multi-Sectoral Drug and Substance Abuse Plan 2024-2030 aims to address drug abuse through a balanced approach that combines criminal justice measures with public health strategies.
The plan seeks to create a supportive environment for individuals struggling with addiction, promoting rehabilitation over punishment. It acknowledges the complexity of addiction and addresses root causes such as peer pressure and idleness.
The plan differentiates between casual users, repeat offenders, and drug traffickers, offering rehabilitation for casual users and stricter measures for traffickers.
A key aspect of the plan is reducing drug demand through education and awareness.
The multi-sectoral approach ensures collaboration among stakeholders, including health providers, law enforcement, and community organizations.
The plan’s emphasis on rehabilitation, addressing root causes, and targeting key figures in the drug trade aims to reduce drug abuse and create a healthier society.
