Mangaliso Kabulika
THE fight against the illegal influx of drugs, substance and alcohol in the country has gone a gear up with the Inter-Ministerial Committee launching awareness campaigns, projects and activities to deal with the menace.
Primary, higher and tertiary education institutions have been carrying out drug and substance abuse awareness campaigns to students.
Defence Minister Oppah Muchinguri-Kashiri, who is the chairperson of the Inter-Ministerial Committee on Drug and Substance Abuse, yesterday said:
“Weekly awareness campaigns continue to be a priority and the collective campaigns in the primary education level has reached 410 473 primary level students.
“The Ministry of Women’s Affairs, Community, Small and Medium Enterprises Development held community empowerment programmes, projects and meetings, with 2 729 people informed about the issue.
“The Ministry of Youth Empowerment, Development and Vocational Training submitted 188 drug abuse reduction projects to Empower Bank for funding.
“Short-term loans have been introduced and clients are now accessing this facility without collateral security.
“As a behaviour change intervention, the education sector continues to facilitate students to interact with offenders in a bid to educate them on the danger of abusing drugs and substances and the effects thereof.
“Community outreaches are being carried out through information, education and communication materials.”
She said sports galas were an effective way of reaching youths as they provide an enabling environment and platform to raise awareness on drug and substance abuse.
“Furthermore, most churches have mainstreamed drug and substance abuse in their religious activities.”