Zambia Marks World Drug Day with Strong Call for Prevention and United Action
Zambia today joined the global community in commemorating the International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking, under the theme “The Evidence is Clear: Invest in Prevention.”
The national event, held in Kafue District, underscored a united front against drug abuse, with stakeholders calling for greater investment in health, education, and social systems to tackle the root causes of narcotics use and organized crime.
Minister of Home Affairs and Internal Security, Hon. Jack J. Mwiimbu, SC., MP, emphasized that law enforcement alone cannot win the fight against drug abuse. “This is about education, inclusion, opportunity—and above all, prevention,” he said, stressing that drug addiction is a national and global crisis affecting all demographics.
Hon. Mwiimbu noted that Zambia is implementing major policy and legislative reforms aligned with international drug control standards. These reforms adopt a human rights-based and public health approach, combining strict action against traffickers with treatment and reintegration for drug users.
Drug Enforcement Commission (DEC) Director General, Mr. Nason Banda, revealed the Commission’s 2024 achievements, including the seizure of 43.2 tonnes of cannabis, 27.9 kg of codeine, and 1.9 kg of cocaine, resulting in 4,728 arrests.
Despite these gains, he said prevention remains DEC’s top strategic priority, citing outreach efforts that reached over 1.2 million Zambians last year.
Speaking on behalf of the UN Resident Coordinator, UNAIDS Country Director Mr. Isaac Ahemesah shared sobering statistics from the 2025 World Drug Report—highlighting that 316 million people globally used drugs in 2023, with Africa facing a surge in drug-related HIV infections.
He urged Zambia to integrate gender-sensitive addiction services and invest in mental health support.
The UN commended Zambia’s commitment to evidence-based prevention and called for continued cross-border collaboration and community investment to break the cycle of drug abuse and transnational crime.
