ARUSHA, Tanzania, Feb. 21 (Xinhua) -- Tanzanian Prime Minister Kassim Majaliwa on Wednesday warned against the increasing number of drug addicts in Lake Zone regions where over 10,000 people are currently in need of rehabilitation.
Speaking at the inauguration of methadone treatment clinic at Mwanza Regional Referral Hospital Sekou Toure, Majaliwa asked people in the Lake Zone regions to stay away from drugs that not only destroy workforce but also cause huge losses in treatment and rehabilitation costs.
According to Majaliwa, Tanzanian government lost millions of U.S. dollars annually for treating people who have been affected with narcotics.
Mwanza, the country's second largest city, is located in Northwest Tanzania on the southern edge of Lake Victoria.
He said that the newly established methadone clinic was necessitated by the increasing number of drug addicts in Mwanza where between 10,000 and 15,000 drug users need treatment.
The PM also called on Tanzanians to work closely with the Drug Control and Enforcement Authority (DCEA) to thwart the network of narcotic trade.
Rogers Siyanga, DCEA Commissioner General, called upon drug users in the city of Mwanza and the surrounding areas to visit the clinic to receive rehabilitation and once again become productive members of society.
Last year, Majaliwa directed all regional hospitals in the east African nation to set up methadone centers to rehabilitate drug addicts.