Govt mulls 700-bed drug rehab

Robin Muchetu

Bulawayo Bureau

GOVERNMENT is planning to establish a 700-bed Presidential High-Capacity Drug Rehabilitation Centre model for replication across the country’s 10 provinces as it intensifies efforts to address drug and substance abuse.

The proposed centres will combine clinical treatment with psychosocial rehabilitation, vocational training, agriculture, sport and recreation and community reintegration in an integrated approach aimed at helping people recover and rebuild their lives.

In his post-Cabinet media briefing yesterday, Acting Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services Minister Professor Paul Mavima said Cabinet had received an update on the national response to drug and substance abuse.

The update was presented by Defence Minister Oppah Muchinguri-Kashiri in her capacity as chairperson of the Inter-Ministerial Committee on Drug and Substance Abuse Response.

The proposed rehabilitation model, Prof Mavima said, followed a benchmarking exercise conducted at the Angel of Hope Foundation in Harare.

“The centre will integrate clinical treatment, psychosocial rehabilitation, vocational empowerment, agriculture, sport and recreation and community reintegration on approximately 20 hectares,” he said.

The plan comes amid growing demand for treatment and rehabilitation services, with existing facilities facing pressure to accommodate people affected by drug and substance abuse.

In 2024, President Mnangagwa launched the Zimbabwe Multi-Sectoral Drug and Substance Abuse Plan (2024-2030), a national framework intended to coordinate efforts to prevent drug use, strengthen enforcement and expand treatment and rehabilitation services.

At the launch, the President described drug abuse as a significant public health concern threatening the country’s development trajectory.

Psychiatric institutions such as Ingutsheni Central Hospital in Bulawayo and Ngomahuru in Masvingo have been attending to people affected by drug and substance abuse, despite not being dedicated rehabilitation centres.

The shortage of specialised facilities has necessitated the need for comprehensive services that can support recovery and reduce the risk of relapse.

Refurbishment work is also underway at rehabilitation facilities in Gwanda and Sakubva in Mutare to expand treatment capacity in the affected regions.

Prof Mavima said the Government would continue intensifying measures to combat drug and substance abuse, warning businesses found violating the law would face legal consequences.

He presented a report covering interventions undertaken between June 1 and September 19, 2026, across the seven pillars of the Multi-Sectoral National Drug and Substance Abuse Plan.

Under the supply reduction pillar, enforcement operations, surveillance, the destruction of identified drug bases and public awareness campaigns were intensified across the country.

“The nation is informed that under the Supply Reduction Pillar, enforcement, surveillance and destruction of identified drug bases and public awareness campaigns were intensified across all provinces.

“A total of 3 839 persons were arrested and referred to court, with 2 706 being below 35 years. A total of 73 drug bases were destroyed while 171 awareness campaigns were conducted,” said Prof Mavima.

The report indicated that Harare recorded the highest number of accused persons at 5 685, followed by Bulawayo with 1 022, while Midlands recorded the lowest figure at 296.

“Various drugs and substances valued at over ZiG26 734 707 were recovered and these included crystal methamphetamine, cocaine and dagga. Furthermore, a total of 1 032 accused persons were fined, 461 imprisoned for various periods, with some getting sentences of up to 15 years,” said Prof Mavima.

The Medicines Control Authority of Zimbabwe conducted 285 inspections nationwide, resulting in 50 violations being referred to court.

Under the legal and policy pillar, Prof Mavima said the National Drug, Substance Abuse Control and Enforcement Agency Bill was before the Parliamentary Legal Committee for consideration.

Prof Mavima said 4 934 drug-related cases had been recorded, with 4 341 court cases completed, resulting in 4 243 convictions and 73 acquittals.

Under the demand reduction pillar, awareness campaigns, prevention programmes, youth empowerment, vocational training, research and livelihood initiatives reached more than 1,39 million people. Of these, 579 000 were male and 814 906 were female.

Prof Mavima said 3 363 patients — 2 964 males and 399 females — received treatment under the harm reduction, treatment and rehabilitation pillar.

Under the psychosocial support and community reintegration pillar, 5 707 people received psychosocial support, while 1 843 accessed assistance through the toll-free helpline 406.

A further 594 people were reintegrated into their families and communities after being discharged from the Angel of Hope Foundation and Wilkins Rehabilitation Centres in Harare.

“In addition, 71 members drawn from all provinces were trained under a Training for Trainers Programme and 50 police officers were trained in the use of modern breathalysers,” he said.

Prof Mavima noted that the demand for treatment, rehabilitation, psycho-social support and empowerment initiatives continues to increase, demanding Whole-of-Government and Whole-of-Society collaboration to fight drug and substance abuse in communities.

Furthermore, Prof Mavima said mechanisms to fight drug and substance abuse will continue to be intensified and that any business found in violation will face the full wrath of the law.

Source: Govt mulls 700-bed drug rehab – herald

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