. MSISKA
By KASONDE KASONDE –
SECRETARY to the Cabinet Roland Msiska has expressed concern over the high number of youths who drink alcohol as well as abuse drugs and called for the need to have a comprehensive, integrated and balanced approach to counter the vice.
Dr Msiska said it is sad to see the number of youths that patronise bars and partake in illicit drugs that have a negative impact on their personal growth and that of the economy.
Dr Msiska said this during a stakeholders meeting held in Lusaka yesterday, to discuss the development of drug prevention and control policy in Zambia.
Dr Msiska said there was need not only to balance supply and demand reduction strategies, but also to take into account the socio-economic factors.
“There is need not only to balance supply and demand reduction strategies, but also to take into account the socio-economic factors, we need to have a comprehensive integrated and balanced approach to counter the problems of drug abuse,” he said.
Dr Msiska said it was important for all stakeholders to come on board and tackle the drug problem among youths.
He said participation and cooperation of all stakeholders, including Civil Society Organisations (CSOs), in tackling the drug problem was required as it was everyone’s responsibility to endeavour to protect the health of citizens and contain crime.
Drug Enforcement Commission (DEC) Commissioner Alita Mbahwe said the event was aimed at identifying challenges and possible solutions in the prevention and control of illicit drugs, with a bias towards treatment and rehabilitation of drug users in Zambia.
Ms Mbahwe said the vision of the DEC was to be a proactive institution that prevented and controlled illicit drugs, substances and money laundering, to ensure a safer and peaceful Zambia.
“This vision cannot be realised without the involvement of key stakeholders as the scourge of illicit drugs is very complex and needs a multifaceted approach and involvement of all key stakeholders in order to successfully combat it,” she said.
