Zanzibar steps up fight against student drug abuse
THE Zanzibar Ministry of Health, through its Mental Health Unit in collaboration with the Zanzibar Drug Control and Enforcement Authority (ZDCEA) has intensified efforts to combat drug use among students through strengthened prevention programmes and early intervention strategies.
Speaking after a recent parent–teachers meeting at Mwanakwerekwe ‘A’ Secondary School, Mental Health Officer Mr Haji Hafidh Fatawi said that signs of drug use had been detected among students, prompting immediate action by the authorities.
“The ministry will begin conducting student testing, offering counselling services, and monitoring peer groups. We will also be inspecting school bags for banned substances,” Mr Fatawi said.
He noted that previous awareness campaigns had minimal impact and that the new approach aims to deliver practical and measurable outcomes.
ZDCEA’s Commissioner for Prevention and Behavioural Change, Mr Juma Zidikheiry, said ongoing investigations indicate peer pressure as a major driver of drug use among students.
He stressed the importance of strong family engagement and warned that parental neglect can leave children especially vulnerable to drug abuse.
“We are working closely with communities to tackle this challenge. Parents and teachers must be alert to early warning signs and act quickly,” he urged.
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At the school level, teachers have vowed to maintain strict monitoring. A teacher at Mwanakwerekwe ‘A’, Mr Mbasho Khamis Makame revealed that items such as shisha and other drug-related paraphernalia had been discovered in classrooms.
“This is a serious concern. Teachers are committed to strict follow-up, but we also need parents to play their role at home,” he said.
Parents attending the meeting echoed the concerns and pledged to work closely with educators and the community to protect their children. One of the parents, Mr Abdalla Said noted that youth today face greater risks due to widespread access to technology and negative peer influence.
Some parents went further, alleging that drugs are being smuggled into schools, citing past experiences where they had encountered cannabis smoke during school hours.
The coordinated efforts by health authorities, drug enforcement bodies, schools, and families mark a renewed push to curb youth drug abuse in Zanzibar an issue increasingly seen as a public health and social concern.
