The Drug Enforcement Commission is a Department under the Ministry of Home Affairs established to prevent and control illegal cultivation, production, trafficking and abuse of Narcotic drugs, Psychotropic substances and money laundering activities in order to contribute to the socio-economic development of Zambia.

The Commission was established in the year 1989 through the amendment of the Dangerous Drugs Act, which was later replaced by the enactment of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substance Act No. 37 of 1993, and Act 13 of 1994, Chapter 96 of the Laws of Zambia. This Act provided for the continuation of the existence of DEC.

In 2021, Parliament repealed Chapter 96 of the Laws of Zambia and replaced it with the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substance Act 35.