DEC arrest 239 in Eastern Province
By Staff Reporter
Drug Enforcement Commission (DEC) in Eastern Province has arrested 239 people for various drug trafficking and money laundering related cases this year.
Eastern Province permanent secretary Buleti Nsemukila said government’s responsibility was to counteract drug trafficking and drug abuse with the help of communities.
Speaking as guest of honour in a speech read by his deputy Josphat Lombe during the commemoration of the International Day against Illicit Drug Trafficking and Drug Abuse held today in Chipata, Dr Nsemukila said measures to fight drug trafficking and drug abuse are important because the scourge at its core is a health issue.
This year’s commemoration is themed “Health for Justice. Justice for Health.”
“Families, schools, Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) and religious organisations can do their part to clear their communities of drugs,”he said.
Dr Nsemukila said government needed the partnership with all stakeholders in order to fight drug trafficking and abuse as a way of reinforcing its commitment to the basic principles of health and human rights.
He commended DEC for its fight to curb drug trafficking and drug abuse in communities in Eastern Province.
Dr Nsemukila called upon every peace loving and law abiding citizen to support the Commission as it strives to better and clear societies off this vice.
And DEC Eastern Province regional commander Martin Chitamba said the commission this year through its various public awareness activities on the dangers of drug trafficking, abuse and money laundering in the province reached out to 22,246 people.
Chitamba said the Commission’s education and counselling department through its programmes had so far counselled 39 people with ages ranging from 13 to 35 years.
” It was very disturbing because the youths are considered to be the future leaders,”he said.
