Zimbabwe has announced its plans to explore the implementation of mandatory drug testing for learners and employees. The revelation was made by Defence Minister Honourable Oppah Muchinguri-Kashiri, who chairs the National Committee on Drug and Substance Abuse. She addressed the grave situation during a National Prayer Day event in Mutare, framing the drug scourge as a direct threat to the nation’s future.
The proposed strategy would see the law amended to permit inspections within schools and workplaces, with health personnel being trained to conduct tests using blood, saliva, and hair samples. Furthermore, the government is procuring self-testing kits for public use. Minister Muchinguri-Kashiri stated,
“The testing kits will soon be available on the market, enabling parents to test their children at home and take swift action.”
ALSO READ: Man Cracks Teen’s Skull In A Feud Over A Wheelbarrow
She confirmed that every clinic would be equipped to offer testing and counselling, with some hospitals providing day-care treatment programmes for addicts.
Government Plans Mandatory Drug Testing For Schools And Workplaces
Minister Muchinguri-Kashiri painted a stark picture of the challenges, pointing to the country’s porous borders as a major conduit for illicit substances. She detailed an influx of hard drugs, including cocaine, heroin, and the highly addictive crystal methamphetamine, with some even being sold on school grounds.
The economic landscape, particularly the availability of foreign currency, was identified as a key factor being exploited. She argued,
“Having realised that sanctions have failed, they are flooding our nation with drugs. This is another war they have declared, aimed at wiping out an entire generation.”
The minister expressed particular frustration at the legal penalties for foreign drug traffickers caught within Zimbabwe, contrasting them sharply with the fate of Zimbabweans abroad. She declared,
“Recently, we had foreigners from countries that impose capital punishment on drug traffickers being fined a mere US$150, yet we have Zimbabweans on the death-row for smuggling drugs in those countries. Are we serious, what is that? Our laws may not permit capital punishment, but we will ensure lengthy prison sentences for offenders.”
ALSO READ: Duo Slapped With 45-Year Sentences For Murder Of Prison Officer Dumped On Railway Tracks
To deter the trade, the government is establishing special courts dedicated to drug-related offences. These courts will be mandated to impose severe punishments, with convicted drug traffickers facing up to 15 years behind bars. The minister urged a collective effort to tackle the problem, calling on families, churches, and traditional leaders to unite in fostering moral uprightness in the youth. She lamented the devastating impact on the young, revealing,
“We are admitting as young as eight-year-olds in rehabilitation centres. Let us look the enemy in the eye as a united people.”
The comprehensive plan also includes vocational training for recovering addicts to equip them with skills for reintegration into society. The government’s multi-pronged approach signals a significant escalation in its fight against drugs and substances, which are reported to cost from as little as US$1 for entry-level options to US$80 (approx. ZAR 1,450) for the most potent and addictive narcotics.
Follow Us on Google News for Immediate Updates
The post Zimbabwean Government Plans Mandatory Drug Testing For Schools And Workplaces appeared first on iHarare News.
