Drug Control Law

1. Establishment of the Drug Control and Enforcement Authority (DCEA):
   • The DCEA, operational since February 17, 2017, is tasked with preventing and controlling drug trafficking, investigating drug-related offenses, and collaborating with national and international bodies to enforce drug control measures.
   • The DCEA coordinates efforts to reduce drug supply, demand, and harm, including arrests, searches, seizures, and investigations.
2. Definitions and Scope:
   • Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances: Defined as substances listed in the First Schedule of the Act, including cannabis, heroin, cocaine, khat, and opium derivatives (e.g., preparations with more than 0.2% morphine).
   • Medicinal Cannabis: Recognized as extracts or tinctures of cannabis for medicinal use, regulated under the Tanzania Medicines and Medical Devices Act.
   • The law applies to Mainland Tanzania and, in certain contexts, Tanzania Zanzibar, with specific provisions for Zanzibar under the Zanzibar Drugs Control and Enforcement Authority (ZDCEA) established in 2021.
3. Regulatory Measures:
   • Permits and Licensing: Any authority issuing permits for dealing with drugs, precursor chemicals, or controlled pharmaceuticals must consult the DCEA before granting import/export permits or licenses.
   • Prohibited Activities: The Act restricts unauthorized cultivation, production, sale, possession, transport, import, export, and use of narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances. Penalties include fines and imprisonment for violations, with severe penalties for trafficking.
   • Confiscation: Narcotic drugs, psychotropic substances, and related materials (e.g., packaging, proceeds of sale) are subject to confiscation if involved in illicit activities.
4. Prevention and Rehabilitation:
   • The DCEA promotes education, public awareness, and community participation to combat drug abuse and trafficking.
   • The government supports treatment and rehabilitation programs, including Medically Assisted Therapy (MAT) for opioid addiction (e.g., methadone treatment at facilities like Muhimbili National Hospital). Sober houses provide structured environments for recovering addicts.
   • The Act emphasizes compliance with international conventions, such as the Single Convention on Narcotic Drugs, to strengthen global cooperation.
5. Zanzibar-Specific Measures:
   • In 2021, Zanzibar passed the Zanzibar Drugs Control and Enforcement Authority Act, establishing the ZDCEA to enhance drug control efforts in the islands. The ZDCEA, chaired by the Zanzibar President, focuses on investigation, prosecution, and public education to reduce drug trafficking and abuse.
   • Zanzibar has established sober houses and is constructing modern rehabilitation centers to support youth recovery.

• Surge Operations Deterrent Strategy (SODS): Implemented from 2017 to 2020, this strategy led to significant seizures of illegal substances (e.g., 25,357.9 kg from 2017–2020, with cannabis accounting for 83% of the weight). However, trafficking persists due to Tanzania’s porous borders, 854-mile coastline, and corruption issues.
• Common Drugs: Cannabis is the most prevalent, followed by heroin and khat. Tanzania is a transit hub for heroin from Southwest Asia and cocaine from South America.
• Corruption: A major barrier to effective enforcement, as drug traffickers exploit financial influence over officials.
• International Cooperation: Tanzania collaborates with foreign law enforcement, including the U.S., under frameworks like the 1931 U.S.-U.K. Extradition Treaty, and works with the UNODC to align with global standards.

• Drug Use and Possession: Fines and imprisonment apply, with specific penalties for small quantities of narcotic drugs or psychotropic substances.
• Trafficking: Severe penalties, including long prison sentences, are enforced. Foreigners caught trafficking face fines or detention, particularly for attempting to export wildlife products or drugs without permits.
• Regulatory Violations: Drug shops often flout regulations by stocking prescription-only medicines without permits, contributing to poor-quality care and antimicrobial resistance.

• 2024 Amendment: The Drug Control and Enforcement (Amendment of First and Second Schedule) Notice, 2024 updated the list of controlled substances.
• Operations: In April 2025, the DCEA, in collaboration with other agencies, conducted operations in Dar es Salaam, Mbeya, Arusha, and Tanga, seizing several tons of drugs.
• Global Context: A 2024 UN report highlighted concerns about regions legalizing cannabis, noting increased production of high-potency cannabis products, which Tanzania monitors to inform its policies.

• Travel Warnings: Tanzania has strict drug laws, and travelers caught with drugs face fines or imprisonment. Plastic bags are also banned, with enforcement at entry points.
• Public Health: Drug abuse, particularly among youth, is a growing issue, with 150,000–500,000 addicts reported in 2011 and 25,000–50,000 injecting drug users in 2017, contributing to HIV transmission.
• Research and Data: The DCEA and Government Chemist Laboratory Authority (GCLA) maintain data collection systems to track drug abuse and trafficking trends.