THE Drug Control and Enforcement Authority (DCEA) has seized over 100,000 kilograms of illicit drugs in the country between January and this month.

Aretas Lyimo, DCEA Commissioner General, made the statement in Dodoma on Wednesday evening, warning that people who still engage in the ‘dirty’ business will soon be arrested.

He made the remarks when addressing a meeting of sober house owners and operators across the country where he said those who run sober homes for drug rehabilitation programmes are key partners in the war against drugs.

He urged them to  do their work without any fear, noting that nobody should  intimidate them as their duties resemble that of religious leaders, working to save lives of those in most cases are ignored by the society..

“It is just a matter of time as we will soon apprehend all those behind illicit drug deals in the country and you are key partners in this war,” said Lyimo, adding that sober homer owners help the government rehabilitate drug addicts.

He added that currently there are 62 such rehabilitation facilities in the country where there are over 12,000 known drug addicts.

The commissioner said the government acknowledges the good work such people are doing and in supporting them it will soon build a modern rehabilitation centre in Dodoma

While reminding sober home owners to work in accordance with the stipulated guidelines, he said the government through the commission was ready to help them in any difficulties they face.

He said there is a need for more people to establish such facilities in areas with high demand rather than just having most of them in one city or town. He promised the government support for such initiatives.

However, he warned sober home owners to desist from any form of physical disciplinary measures such as beatings, among others, saying addict deserve more education than any form of torture.

Earlier, Central Zone Assistant Commissioner Mzee Kasui emphasized the importance of sober house owners, saying they bridge the gap in the war against drugs in the country.

He argued that if all drug addicts are reformed and rehabilitated, even those selling drugs will eventually lack customers, thus ending drugs vice in Tanzania.