ZCLDN Director Advocates for Drug Decriminalization to Address Social Injustice

Nomathemba Mathe

The Zimbabwe Civil Liberties and Drug Network (ZCLDN), has called for the decriminalization of drugs in Zimbabwe, highlighting the need to treat drug use as a public health issue rather than a criminal offense.

Speaking at a harm reduction workshop with Community-Based Organizations and CSOs, the Director of the Zimbabwe Civil Liberties and Drug Network (ZCLDN), Wilson BoxBox emphasized that decriminalization differs from legalization, aiming to reduce stigma and discrimination against those who use drugs.

“If you give criminal penalties to people who use and inject drugs, it means you have actually killed the person’s entire life, due to police profiling which will deny the person the opportunity to be employed due to police record. Most of young men and women have the qualifications but due to these records it already hinders their lives. Decriminalization does not promote use of drugs” said Box

Box explained that criminalization negatively impacts individuals’ lives, leading to lost employment opportunities, denied licenses, and travel restrictions due to criminal records.

He highlighted the need to distinguish between people who use drugs and those involved in drug trafficking, advocating that only the latter should be criminalized.

“Decriminalization doe not promote use of drugs but promote treatment for people who use and inject drugs, because it views drug use as public health but those who traffic drugs and bring them to the country, legal action should be taken against them” he added

Mr Box Cited that the ZCLDN’s mission is to support policy changes that end stigma, restore dignity, and improve opportunities for those affected by drug use.

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