The Minister of State for Provincial Affairs and Devolution for Matabeleland South Province, Honourable A. Nguluvhe, today presided over the Provincial Drug and Substance Abuse Stakeholder Meeting held at the Secretary for Provincial Affairs and Devolution’s Boardroom in Gwanda.
The meeting brought together Ministries, Departments and Agencies, the private sector, churches, academic institutions, law enforcement agencies and other stakeholders, in line with the Government’s Whole-of-Government and Whole-of-Society approach to combating drug and substance abuse.
Among the institutions represented were the Ministry of Local Government and Public Works, ZINWA, CCPN, CMED, Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education, Ministry of Mines and Mining Development, Zimbabwe Republic Police, Ministry of Health and Child Care, universities, the business community, churches and other stakeholders.
The engagement sought to take stock of progress made by the Province in addressing drug and substance abuse, strengthen stakeholder coordination, assess progress under the various intervention pillars and prepare Matabeleland South for the forthcoming visit by the National Drug and Substance Abuse Task Force.
The meeting received updates under the pillars of Supply Reduction, Demand Reduction, Harm Reduction, Community Reintegration, Media and Communication, and Resource Mobilisation, as well as progress regarding the establishment of the Gwanda Rehabilitation Centre.
In his remarks, Hon. Nguluvhe emphasised that drug and substance abuse remains a serious threat to young people, families and communities and requires a coordinated response involving Government, communities, the private sector, churches, traditional leaders, law enforcement agencies and development partners.
The Honourable Minister expressed concern over the limited mobilisation of resources towards provincial interventions. Against a target of US$250,000 set in the previous year, only US$5,000 was deposited into the Provincial Drug and Substance Abuse account.
He therefore called upon stakeholders to ensure that commitments and pledges are translated into tangible financial, material and technical support.
A major priority highlighted during the meeting was the completion and operationalisation of the Gwanda Rehabilitation Centre at the former Phakama TB Clinic, which is currently undergoing renovations estimated at US$145,841.55.
Hon. Nguluvhe urged Government institutions, the private sector, development partners and other stakeholders to support the completion of the facility so that affected individuals can access rehabilitation and reintegration services within the Province.
“We must move beyond meetings, plans and pledges towards concrete interventions that protect our young people, rehabilitate those affected and build drug-free, healthy and resilient communities across Matabeleland South,” said Hon. Nguluvhe.
Following the Minister’s remarks, the Secretariat of the Provincial Drug and Substance Abuse Task Force presented the Provincial Drug and Substance Abuse Report. Stakeholders deliberated on the report and proposed various additions, corrections and recommendations aimed at strengthening the Province’s response.
Once finalised and approved, the report will be circulated to stakeholders for further review and input.
The Province remains committed to strengthening coordination, information sharing, implementation, monitoring and reporting across all Drug and Substance Abuse pillars, while mobilising the resources required to translate strategies into meaningful interventions at community level.