DRUG ABUSE & ILLICIT TRAFFICKING

The Lions Quest Programme which conducts seminars for school teachers to impart knowledge to school children to keep away from harmful drugs. The school teachers numbering 30 in Singida were given a three-day seminar by well-trained  Trainers. The Coordinator of the Lions Quest Programme in Tanzania is Past District Governor, Abdul Majid Khan (3rd left).

The then District Commissioner of Bagamoyo, Mr. Ahmed Kipozi addressing teachers who attended the three-day seminar in Bagamoyo. Seated next to him in dark suit is Past Governor Lion Abdul majid Khan and next to him is Convenor of the seminar Lion Mohammed Mulla.

The then Bagamoyo District Commissioner Mr. Ahmed Kipozi being presented with the a set of books which deals with various methods of how to teach school pupils to keep away from harmful drugs such as cocaine, bhangi, mirungi, mendrax, alcohol and cigarettes.

DRUG ABUSE & ILLICIT TRAFFICKING

26^th June is observed as International Day against drug abuse and illicit trafficking of  the harmful dugs  by member states of the United Nations. Tanzania being one of the Member States has endorsed and implements the UN Resolution  No. A/RES/42/112.

Several cases of illicit drug trafficking have been apprehended by “hawk-eyes” custom officers and specialized anti-narcotic police officers at the airports, particularly the international airport of Dar es Salaam and at the Kilimanjaro International Airport. Very recently, a press report originating from  Mumbai stated that a Tanzanian national (a woman) had been arrested for involvement in a large consignment of drugs at the main airport in Mumbai.

The famous programme of Morning  Trumpet beamed by Azam TV Two, conducted by presenters Mohamed Ramadhani and Betty Omara interviewed  Madame Nuru Swaleh and a Psychiatrist Mr. Karoli Mabula. The question-answer sessions  dealt with the harmful effects of drugs such as bhangi, cocaine, mandrax, mirungi etc.

Madame Nuru Swaleh who is administering two rehabilitation centres in Dar es Salaam  for victims of  harmful drugs appeared to be very well versed with the management of bringing back to normal track the victims of drugs. She was perplexed at the fact that although “pushers” of the drugs were known but the actual big sharks were comfortably hidden behind the curtains. 

She admitted to have been through her turbulent life history as a “drug user” for almost twelve years. Now she is leading a “changed life” and helps victims to come to their normal way of life. She admitted that her rehabilitation centres faces financial problems but she was a determined  lady to help others.

The Lions Clubs International is running an international Lions Quest Programme  which conducts seminars and teaching sessions for school teachers with an objective to influence school children to keep away from harmful usage of drugs, cigarettes, bhangi, mirungi, alcohol etc. The coordinator of this country-wide programme is Past District Governor/Multiple Council Chairman Lion Abdul Majid Khan and the  Quest Convenor is Mohammed Mulla.

The Lions Clubs International Fund had given a support of US $ 26,636:00 for initially conducting such workshops and later after observing the successful projects, the United States financed a package of grant amounting to US$ 100,000:00 with a local matching grant of US$ 25,000:00. 

In all 25 workshops were conducted which involved 780 teachers from various schools in Dar es Salaam, Arusha, Mwanza, Zanzibar, Tanga, Kilimanjaro, Morogoro, Shinyanga, Mtwara, Singida during the three year period 2013 to 2015.

Story & Pictures by Abdul Hai

Bagamoyo News