DRUG USERS TURN TO PRESCRIPTION MEDICINES AS GOVNT TIGHTENS NOOSE

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The government said on Saturday June 9 that illicit drug users are increasingly switching to the use of prescription medications such as tramadol and benzodiazepines as the authorities tighten the noose on the use of the illicit substances.

The Minister of State in the Prime Minister’s Office, Policy, Parliament, Labour, Youth and disabilities Ms Jenista Mhagama said this in Dar es Salaam during an event to launch of the European Union Auction against Drugs and Organised Crime- EU-ACT.

She said illicit drug use is a growing challenge in the country with khat, heroin and cocaine being the most consumed.

“So far, Tanzania has made significant progress in the fight against illicit drug use,” she said.

She cited government reports which show that heroin and cocaine trafficking are rife in Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda and that East African is a key gateway for consumer and production markets in Asia, Europe and the United States.

The minister welcomed the EU-ACT to partner with local authorities in fighting use of the illicit drugs.

“There is a huge potential for the EU-ACT project to engage with DCEA as the main partner, since this is still a young organisation that has ambitious plans, however, it needs strengthening in its resources, training and operational procedures,’’ she added.
By Peter Godwin.




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