Majaliwa: Tanzania records 90pc illicit drugs control

Prime Minister Kassim Majaliwa shake hands to United Nations Office on Drugs a Crime (UNODC) Secretary of the Commission, Jo Dedeyne-Amann after the minister launched a five day- 28th Heads of National Drug Law Enforcement Agencies Africa in Dar es Salaam yesterday. Right UNODC Regional Representative for Eastern Africa Representative, Dr Amado Philip de Andres PHOTO | PMO

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However, he said a number of people were abusing other medicines as alternatives to illicit drugs.

 Dar es Salaam. Prime Minister Kassim Majaliwa on Monday, September 17, said Tanzania controlled the illicit drugs by 90 per cent.

However, he said a number of people were abusing other medicines as alternatives to illicit drugs.

Mr Majaliwa was speaking during the 28th meeting of the Heads of National Drug Law Enforcement for Africa here.

“We should put more efforts in fighting negative impacts of illicit drugs to individuals and the country at large,” he said. “Trade in illicit drugs also contributes to the spread of communicable diseases such as HIV and tuberculosis.”

 

He reassured participants about the country’s commitment in fighting the illicit trade, saying it was a cross-cutting issue that needed stakeholders’ cooperation from within and outside the country.

The statement was seconded by the commissioner general of the Drugs and Control Enforcement Authority, Mr Rogers Sianga.

Earlier, the regional representative for Eastern Africa of the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, Dr Amado de Andres,  said in 2017, over 200 tonnes of heroin were seized in 2017 in East Africa.

The meeting that is attended by more than 120 participants from 53 counties in Africa will end on Friday, September 21.

Participants are expected to come up with resolutions on ending illicit trade in the continent.