Samia to grace anti-drugs gathering

Dar es Salaam. Vice President Samia Suluhu Hassan is expected to open an anti-drug meeting scheduled for Wednesday, this week, at the Julius Nyerere International Convention Centre (JNICC) whereby more than 1,000 artistes and other stakeholders will attend.

The meeting, which is aimed at providing education on how the sector can prevent the use of drugs, is organised by the Drugs Control and Enforcement Authority in collaboration with the Tanzania Film Board as well as other stakeholders.  There are a number of famous musicians and artistes affected by drugs.

Speaking on Monday, February, 11, DCEA commissioner general Rogers Sianga said most of the artistes were engaged in drug abuse by either being deceived by dealers to help them in transporting them to other countries or using them themselves.

"The festival will provide an opportunity for musicians and artistes to ask a number of questions and the way forward on preventing others from using them. We cannot fight this alone. We need co-operation from various stakeholders," he said.

Mr Sianga said during the event that the authority will provide information on each type of drugs and its negative impact for users and the economy but also on how the drugs destroy the dreams of young people.

For her part, the executive secretary of the Tanzania Film Board Joyce Fissoo said large groups of young people who had dreams have failed to achieve them due to effects of using drugs.