ZANZIBAR, July 7 (NNN-DAILYNEWS) — ZANZIBAR First Vice-President, Othman Masoud Othman has issued a stern warning about the rising threat of illicit drug trade, describing it as a global menace that harms youth, fuels illegal wealth, undermines family structures and can even destabilise governments.
Speaking at a stakeholders’ meeting on anti-narcotics strategies held in Zanzibar over the weekend, Othman said that the fight against drugs must be seen not merely as a criminal issue but as a threat to the country’s social fabric, economy and long-term development.
“Drug trafficking is not just a youth problem; it is a sophisticated global industry generating illegal wealth capable of corrupting generations, institutions and governments, as we have seen in parts of the world,” he said.
The First Vice-President stressed the need for united efforts, acknowledging the ongoing work of Zanzibar Drugs Control and Enforcement Authority (ZDCEA) but urging broader stakeholder support to safeguard current and future generations from the drug scourge.
He urged reflection on Zanzibar’s long history of drug control, dating back to laws enacted in 1927, when the population was under 300,000 and drug networks were less complex.
Today, with a population exceeding 1.8 million, technological advances, globalisation and Zanzibar’s strategic location along international trade routes have increased its vulnerability to trafficking.
Othman also expressed concern over a moral and ethical decline among public servants, politicians and enforcement officers, which hampers anti-drug efforts.
He warned that the digital age and easier air travel have made it simpler for criminals to run cross-border drug networks.
“This is a battle for all of us. Success demands integrity, discipline and the courage to act decisively without favouritism,” he said, referring to the local notion of muhali—the reluctance to act against close associates.
He urged law enforcement and anti-drug officials to rise above personal interests, maintain confidentiality, uphold responsibility and unity, avoid abusing their powers and remember that no one is above the law.
Calling for legal reforms, Othman noted the current drug laws and enforcement systems require strengthening to be more effective.
ZDCEA Commissioner General, Colonel Burhan Zubeir Nassoro painted a troubling picture of substance misuse, particularly among youth.
He cited cannabis and addictive pills as major threats damaging public health, disrupting security and fuelling moral decay.
“Many young people are lured by the illusion of quick wealth through drug trade, which ultimately destroys their futures,” Col Nassoro warned.
He also pointed to poor coordination among enforcement agencies and weak intelligence sharing as key challenges.
Many drug cases fail in court due to flawed procedures during arrests and operations, often stemming from a lack of institutional harmony.
Both leaders stressed that the war on drugs requires a multi-sectoral approach, shared commitment and honest leadership at all levels.
They called on stakeholders to propose clear, actionable legal reforms to strengthen prevention, enforcement and rehabilitation efforts.
The meeting brought together law enforcement officers, policymakers, health officials, civil society actors and community leaders to assess the current state of drug abuse in Zanzibar and develop joint strategies to combat it. — NNN-DAILYNEWS
