Youth must choose life, not drugs
DAR ES SALAAM: THE Drug Control and Enforcement Authority (DCEA) deserves commendation for its consistent and unwavering efforts in combating the drug menace in the country. By unearthing and dismantling evolving tactics used by traffickers including the use of legitimate courier channels and unsuspecting transporters, the Authority continues to demonstrate vigilance and adaptability in a fight that is both complex and relentless.
We must praise its recent breakthroughs in neutralising the use of industrial precursor chemicals for local drug production signal not just enforcement success, but a proactive stance in staying ahead of drug networks constantly seeking new loopholes.
While these achievements mark encouraging progress, the broader battle is far from over. Illicit trade in narcotics is resilient, persistent and increasingly deceptive. Criminal networks have shifted tactics, infiltrating ordinary sectors and recruiting unsuspecting individuals, especially the youth as unknowing participants in their operations.
What is most alarming is the deliberate exploitation of young people as transporters, couriers or even consumers of drugs masked in harmless forms. A simple delivery by a motorcycle rider or a package that looks like food could be a gateway to legal turmoil. This deceptive approach not only endangers the lives of the individuals involved but risks entrenching drug culture within communities.
Young people are particularly vulnerable not only due to their curiosity or peer pressure, but because traffickers target them with false promises of quick money and social acceptance. The truth, however, is harsh and unforgiving. There is no glamour in addiction. There is no freedom in trafficking. There are only shattered futures, ruined health and the irreversible consequences of criminal records.
What begins as a party treat or a casual experiment can easily spiral into a lifetime of regret. The youth must understand that one wrong choice can lead to imprisonment, addiction or even death. Drug use is not a phase; it is a path that steals potential and crushes dreams.
Parents, educators and communities must take responsibility for reinforcing this message. Law enforcement alone cannot end the drug problem. The true shield against drugs lies in awareness, early intervention and open conversations that empower young people to make informed decisions.
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To those who have already been lured into this trap: There is still a way out. Rehabilitation and support systems exist, but they require the courage to admit the problem and take the first step toward recovery. It’s not weakness—it’s strength.
Drugs offer nothing of value. They do not solve problems; they multiply them. They do not bring success; they bring destruction. And while the justice system will continue to pursue offenders, real prevention begins with saying “no” before the first high, the first deal, the first mistake.
