Mozambican Prime Minister demands action plan on drugs

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Mozambican Prime Minister demands action plan on drugs

1:39 CAT | 25 Feb 2019

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Mozambican Prime Minister Carlos Agostinho do Rosario has urged the Central Office for the Fight against Drugs (GCPCD) to draw an action plan on drugs, which must be completed over the next three months

The Prime Minister, who was speaking on Friday during the swearing ceremony of the new National Director of the GCPCD Pedro Comissario, explained that the plan must include major challenges faced on prevention and control of illicit drugs in Mozambique.

Image result for pedro comissÃ¡rio, Gabinete Central de Combate Ã Droga (GCCD) — *Pedro Comissário Afonso. Photo: Notícias*

“We recommend you to come up, within three months, with an action plan aligned with the 5-year government plan envisaging the continuous growth of the institution that, as from today, you are the new manager,” said Do Rosario.

Besides ensuring transparency in the management of all procurement processes for goods and services, the Prime minister also demands better management of human, material and financial resources, including the adoption of initiatives which will promote greater professionalism and specialisation of staff and career advancement.

“You must try to excel in teamwork, valuing the existing human resources in the institution,” he said, adding that to achieve success the new National Director should exercise strong leadership to better coordinate the actions of the GCPCD.

As for international cooperation, the Prime minister recommends bilateral and multilateral on the problem of drug abuse and addiction, especially with the neighbouring countries.

The GCPCD should also capitalize on Mozambique’s participation in several cooperation forums, as well as align its policies with the guidelines recommended by the United Nations, African Union, Southern African Development Community (SADC) and the Community of Portuguese Speaking Countries (CPLP).

As for prevention, the Prime minister advises the GCPCD to improve actions to disseminate information on the risks of drug abuse in schools and in the most popular hangout places for teenagers and young people, using social media and other platforms.

“This evil is harmful to our society and demands from all of us, including the government, political actors, religious denominations, civil society, family members, strong determination and creativity for the prevention and fight of the drug problem,” he stressed.

For his part, the new National Director of the GCPCD pledged to work to ensure better efficacy from his institution, especially in the fight against drug abuse in schools across the country.

He also plans to draw up a clear and correct strategy in line with the recommendations made by the Prime minister.

He added that the Action Plan will primarily focus on key areas, especially schools because “with them, we can look for the most appropriate ways and methods to reach the target population.”

“We want the young and the entire Mozambican population to grow in a healthy and good, prosperous environment, and not have to resort to drugs and other drugs to fend for their lives,” he said.

The GCPCD was established in March 1997 with a mandate to centralise the information to facilitate the investigation of illicit traffic of narcotics, psychotropic or precursors substances and to collaborate with the investigatory authorities.

Source: AIM