Govt will not legalise cannabis - Simbyakula

Govt will not legalise cannabis – Simbyakula

By Justinah Mukuka Sat 28 June 2014, 14:01 CAT   [45 Reads, 0 Comment(s)]

HOME affairs minister Ngosa Simbyakula

HOME affairs minister Ngosa Simbyakula has reiterated that the government will not legalise the use of cannabis in Zambia.
Officiating at the commemorations of the World Anti Drug Day in Lusaka on Thursday, Dr Simbyakula said it would not be in the interest of the country to legalise recreational use of cannabis.
“For some time now, we have seen increased support for decriminalisation and even legalisation of drugs such as cannabis. NGOs, think-tanks, journalists and some politicians have joined this cunning legalisation campaign and thereby questioning the internationally agreed conventions on narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances,” he said.
Dr Simbyakula said the debate on the legalisation of cannabis reflected the widespread misunderstanding of the adverse effects of drugs on an individual and the entire nation.
He said damages accused by cannabis were not just limited to users but also increased the risk of traffic accidents and injuries, including mental disorders.
And Dr Simbyakula said over 210 million people globally used illicit drugs every year and that 25 million of those were regarded as drug-dependent persons.
He also said drug abuse increased vulnerability to HIV transmission, reduced the efficiency of HIV medicine and drug compliance.
Drug Enforcement Commission commissioner Alita Mbahwe said the commission had this year translated drug abuse effects educational material into seven major languages in order to reach out to all Zambians in both rural and urban areas.
Mbahwe added that the commission had also translated into Braille some brochures on illicit drugs and money laundering in order to reach out to the visually impaired.
“The commission has embarked on developing a Drug Abuse Prevention: DEC Facilitor’s Manual which will guide the implementation of drug prevention programmes,” said Mbahwe.
At the same event, UNODC executive director Yury Fedotov said drugs not only affect the user, but also cause tremendous hardships and misery to families and loved ones.
“Drug use disorders undermine close relationships, damage home lives, including those of children and can ruin education and employment opportunities,” he said.
He said this in a speech read on his behalf by UNODC representative Sharon Lesa Nyambe.
Commemorations of the international day against drugs and illicit trafficking were held under the theme, “Drug use disorders are preventable
and treatable”.

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Govt will not legalise cannabis - Simbyakula