Lupane Strengthens Drug Abuse Response Through Multi-Sectoral Taskforce Training
Thembelihle Mhlanga
LUPANE – The Lupane District Drug and Substance Abuse (DSA) Taskforce has completed a two-day capacity-building workshop aimed at strengthening local responses to drug and substance abuse, a challenge increasingly affecting communities across Matabeleland North Province.
Held at the Kusile Rural District Council Guest House from Thursday to Friday, the training brought together representatives from law enforcement agencies, health institutions, traditional leadership structures, social development departments, youth organisations and other stakeholders involved in combating drug and substance abuse.
Facilitating the workshop, Matabeleland North Department of Social Development Officer Sicelo Nyathi said addressing the growing drug problem requires coordinated action across all sectors.
“We are dealing with a sophisticated network of illicit trades that is destroying our future generation,” Nyathi said.
“The established pillars of our taskforce—ranging from supply reduction and demand reduction to treatment, rehabilitation and psycho-social support—must work together if we are to achieve meaningful results. If one pillar weakens, the entire response is compromised.”
Nyathi urged taskforce members to move beyond planning and ensure that interventions reach communities at ward and village level.
“Coordination is our strongest weapon. Traditional leaders, police officers, health practitioners and social workers must work from the same script. A synchronized approach is essential if we are to disrupt supply chains and support affected individuals and families,” he said.
The workshop focused on operationalising Zimbabwe’s National Drug and Substance Abuse Response Plan through several strategic pillars.
The Supply Reduction Pillar, led by law enforcement agencies, is responsible for disrupting the trafficking and distribution of illicit substances through intelligence gathering, targeted operations and enhanced border and transport route surveillance.
The Demand Reduction Pillar focuses on prevention through awareness campaigns, school-based programmes and community education initiatives designed to reduce the demand for drugs, particularly among young people.
The Harm Reduction, Treatment and Rehabilitation Pillar, led by the Ministry of Health and Child Care, is tasked with clinical management, treatment services, rehabilitation programmes and support for individuals battling substance dependence.
The Psycho-Social Support and Community Reintegration Pillar, coordinated by the Department of Social Development, focuses on counselling, family support programmes and helping recovering individuals reintegrate into society.
The Media and Information Pillar is responsible for public awareness campaigns, dissemination of information and promoting access to available support services.
The Legal and Policy Issues Pillar focuses on strengthening enforcement mechanisms, improving prosecution processes and supporting the development of local by-laws and regulations aimed at curbing drug-related activities.
Meanwhile, the Finance and Resource Mobilisation Pillar seeks to secure funding for interventions, support community-based projects and create economic opportunities that help reduce vulnerability among young people.
Participants noted that Lupane’s location along the Bulawayo–Victoria Falls Highway makes the district vulnerable to trafficking activities involving illicit substances and unregulated products.
Among the concerns raised were reports of the circulation of highly addictive drugs such as crystal methamphetamine, commonly known as mutoriro, illicit alcohol products, and cannabis.
The workshop also highlighted the growing availability of unregulated sexual enhancement products, body-enhancement substances, and skin-ightening products entering local markets through informal and cross-border trade networks.
Health officials warned that some of these products may pose serious health risks due to unknown ingredients, lack of regulatory approval and unsafe usage practices.
Stakeholders stressed the importance of public awareness, stronger enforcement and community vigilance in addressing the problem.
The workshop concluded with resolutions aimed at strengthening community surveillance systems, establishing local support structures for recovering substance users and increasing collaboration with transport operators along key routes.
Participants also emphasized the need for sustained awareness campaigns, youth empowerment initiatives and stronger partnerships between government institutions, community leaders and civil society organisations.
With Zimbabwe continuing to prioritise the fight against drug and substance abuse, stakeholders said strengthening local response mechanisms remains critical to protecting communities and reducing the social and economic impacts of addiction.
