Minister calls for efforts to fight drugs abuse, trafficking in Isles

ZANZIBAR: MINISTER of State, Second Vice-President (Policy, Coordination and House of Representatives) Mr Hamza Hassan Juma has called for concerted effort in the fight against drug abuse and trafficking of illicit substances in the country.

“We should all join hands: Members of the public, and key stakeholders such as the private sector to better coordinate efforts to fight the illicit drugs menace,” said Mr Juma, when responding to concerns raised by some backbenchers over increasing use of illicit drugs among youths.

He said that such efforts should be directed on exposing importers so that they are arrested and punished, on public awareness campaigns including promoting good behaviours among young people, and psychological treatment of drug addicts.

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The minister said that the government through the office of the first VicePresident has been taking different measures to stop import of the drugs, which include confiscation and naturalizing assets or wealth proved to have been obtained by drugs business.

He mentioned that cannabis, cocaine, and heroin are widely used in Zanzibar, and that parents should work harder to discourage their children from joining bad groups.