DEC, Church partner to combat drug abuse

Law enforcement bodies like Drug Enforcement (DEC) face persistent logistical hurdles, insufficient equipment, and weak inter-agency collaboration, which constrains comprehensive domestic supply and demand reduction strategies

Over the years, local drug dealers in communities have also come up with shrewd ways of marketing drugs, even to unsuspecting members of the public.

On the Copperbelt, District Education Board Secretary Wilfred Chilala says school authorities are planning to stop learners from reporting to school with juice bottles whose contents cannot be ascertained.

“Some of the learners come with bottles in the which the contents contained therein can be artane or other drugs. So, restricting these juice bottles and encouraging learners to buy their soft drinks only from designated tuck shops can help fight drug abuse in our schools,” Mr Chilala said.

The sophisticated way in which drugs are being peddled has become a cause for concern not only for school authorities but various communities, too.

Recently, the DEC said it was investigating the alleged sale of scones laced with marijuana and artane in Mongu, Western Province.

The development followed an incident in August in which four young people – two females and two males – reportedly fell ill after consuming the scones bought from unknown sellers around Mongu Central Market.

The victims reportedly experienced dizziness, hallucinations and uncontrollable laughter before they were taken to Lewanika General Hospital by Good Samaritans.

The DEC said urine tests conducted after the victims were discharged indicated the presence of marijuana and artane.

Western Province DEC Senior Investigations Officer and Head of Education and Counselling, Chilambe Masangu, said the suspected sellers were youths aged between 20 and 35.

“One of the victims has undergone counselling, while the other three are still receiving counselling at the DEC offices in Mongu. We appeal to members of the public to provide information that could help identify and apprehend the suspected sellers,” Ms Masangu said.

Arising from an increase in drug and substance abuse in communities, the DEC has intensified its education campaign by partnering with various churches and faith-based organisations to conduct drug and substance abuse.

So far, the sensitisation campaigns have been rolled out in the Copperbelt, Lusaka, Luapula and Southern Provinces.

According to DEC, the core focuses of the sensitisation includes health risks in which the commission is educating congregants on how alcohol and drugs damage vital organs and harm mental health.

The sensitisation is also highlighting the link between substance abuse, domestic breakdown, and crime.

Furthermore, the sensitisation is also equipping parents and church leaders to identify physical and behavioural indicators of drug use early.

While encouraging faith communities to offer spiritual guidance, peer counselling, and recovery support, DEC has so far held sessions at Seventh Day Adventist (SDA) camp meetings including the Chambishi and Kitwe South district missions in Kakolo, the Nchelenge SDA Central Church, and the Mass Media SDA Congregation under the Empower 360 programme.

In Lusaka Province, the DEC has partnered with the UCZ Resurrection Congregation in Kafue District for the “DEC School” initiative, training parents in family and parenting skills to prevent substance abuse.

DEC has also engaged SDA youths during the Natebe Camp Meeting in Livingstone and regional camp meetings in Mwembeshi Baptist Church.

Recently, the DEC conducted a three-day Peer Education Training for youths from the Mpongwe Baptist Church on the Copperbelt to equip them as anti-drug advocates.

The Outreach programmes have extended to the Roman Catholic Church, New Apostolic Church, and local fellowships like Ndola’s Beacon of Hope Church.

Meanwhile, DEC says the construction of the first ever K250 million national drug rehabilitation and skills development centre in Lusaka will soon be shaping up.

This is in line with the Presidential directive given on the occasion of the 2022 commemoration of the International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking (World Anti-Drug Day), and arising from outcomes of a stakeholders’ breakfast meeting held at Radisson Blu Hotel in Lusaka on Tuesday, 12th August 2025.

Giving an update on the construction of the facility, DEC Director General, Nason Banda, said once resources are made available, the first phase is projected to commence before the end of 2026.

Mr Banda said the project will eventually be followed by a second and third phase to complete the full scope of the centre.

“The K250 million centre is designed to integrate medical treatment, psychological support, education, vocational training, and social re-integration for drug dependent persons.

“Procurement process to select a design and build contractor for phase one scope of works is in progress and bid solicitation on the Zambia Public Procurement Authority (ZPPA), the electronic Government Procurement system (e-GP) portal recently came to the close,” Mr Banda said.

He said other notable project-related milestones recorded included land acquisition in the Balmoral area in Chilanga District.

Mr Banda explained that technical or environmental and socio-economic feasibility studies have been completed to guide design and implementation as well as an access road to the project site which is being established to facilitate movement during construction and operations.

“The commission continues to invite cooperating partners to support the construction of the facility as its actualisation will directly contribute to the promotion of human and social development in line with the National Development Plan,” Mr Banda said.