By JOHNPAUL MPUNDU –

THE Drug Enforcement Commission (DEC) has recorded a 40 per cent increase in the number of arrests recorded between 2009 and 2013.
DEC public relations officer Theresa Katongo said from 2009 to 2013 the commission recorded a total of 20,565 arrests countrywide.
The arrests were distributed as 2009 with 3216, 2010 with 4595, 2011 with 3521, 2012 with 4131 and 2013 with 5102 arrests respectively.
Ms Katongo said the increase could be associated with cultural diversification, youths wanting to experiment, peer pressure and poverty amongst the people.
The DEC is, therefore, appealing to the stakeholders countrywide to partner with them in fighting the increased number of drug traffickers in the country.
She said drug trafficking and abuse is a social issue that affects everyone in society.
“The Commission cannot be in all the places at one time, hence the need to involve stakeholders especially those working at the grassroots’ level to join hands with the DEC in fighting this vice,” she said.
She said it was encouraging to see stakeholders partner with the purpose of delivery of services to the general public.
The commission had partnered with other law enforcement agencies in coming up with effective measures to curb criminal activities in certain compounds known for drug trafficking.
“In addressing problem Government this year launched three electronic body scanners at Kenneth Kaunda, Harry Mwaanga Nkumbula and Simon Mwansa Kapwepwe International airports,” said Ms Katongo.
She said the scanners had the capacity to trace and screen all illegal items being hidden in and on human bodies and other personal articles.
Ms Katongo also said Government had embarked on another study on the situation analysis of illicit drugs in Zambia and engaged a consultant from the Department of Gender at the University of Zambia (UNZA) to undertake the study.
“It is envisaged that the situation analysis of illicit drugs will ultimately lead to the development of a National Policy on Narcotics and Psychotropic Substances.
Ms Katongo said this will in turn inform new strategies in combating drug trafficking in the country,” she said.
She added that the commission had over the years continued to sensitise members of the public on the dangers of drug, abuse, trafficking.
She said the Commission through a joint cooperation between the Government (Ministry of Gender) UNICEF and Barclays also trained 547 youths, women and children in Lusaka, Chipata, Choma and Livingstone in entrepreneurial skills in 2013 and 2014.