Co-Operation Key in Fight Against Drugs

The Citizen (Dar es Salaam)

7 June 2011

editorial

President Jakaya Kikwete has ruffled feathers by accusing some clergymen of peddling drugs. This is a serious matter, as the holder of the highest office in the land would not make such a statement if he didn’t have any evidence.After all, he has access to the best intelligence from the various security organs.

However, the clerics have not taken this lying down. They have asked the President to name the culprits. What must be made clear is that there is no need for any confrontation between the President and the men of the cloth. Both him and the clerics are leaders, whose mandate is to serve the people and always work in their best interests.

And the religious leaders’ involvement in fighting what has become the scourge of our times is absolutely vital. Tanzania is no longer just a transit point for the hard drugs such as cocaine and heroin; some of it is finding its way into the hands of our youth, who abuse the substances with devastating consequences. If there are any religious leaders involved in this, then they are destroying the lives of the very people, whose mission it is to bring to salvation.

The arrests of suspects in Dar es Salaam, said to have regional and international links, is proof of the magnitude of the trade in the deadly merchandise. All must cooperate to eliminate drugs, as they have wrecked many young lives.

It’s encouraging that US President Baraka Obama has named suspected drug kingpins in East Africa and elsewhere and vowed to go after assets acquired with the dirty money.

With close cooperation between countries, a clear message will be sent to the barons and peddlers that their days are numbered.

There are tough laws, but these alone will not eliminate the illicit drugs. The trick is to go after the kingpins and slap them with heavy penalties, including lengthy jail terms and seizure of properties. This how to hit them where it really hurts.

Youth, who are targeted as couriers or consumers, must be warned to keep off drug lords, as peddlers risk death if caught in some countries. We must not allow youth to get hooked if we hope to have a productive nation.Drugs barons are heartless criminals who have no scruples about destroying lives to get rich quickly. They must be stopped.

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