Tanzania’s vocational training authority and the country’s anti-narcotics agency have signed a cooperation agreement aimed at helping recovering drug users rebuild their lives through skills training, employment and entrepreneurship opportunities.
The memorandum of understanding between the Vocational Education and Training Authority (VETA) and the Drug Control and Enforcement Authority (DCEA) seeks to provide vocational education to former drug users who have completed treatment and rehabilitation programmes, addressing one of the key challenges facing recovery efforts: reintegration into society.
Officials said the initiative is designed to reduce the risk of relapse by equipping beneficiaries with practical skills, income-generating opportunities and access to financial support.
Speaking during the signing ceremony on June 4, VETA said the programme would allow recovering drug users to enroll in vocational courses across its nationwide network of training institutions and gain skills needed for employment and self-employment.
“Today is a very important day for VETA as we sign this agreement with the Drug Control and Enforcement Authority to support young people and fellow citizens who were previously involved in drug abuse but have since undergone treatment and are ready to continue contributing to nation-building,” the authority said in a statement.
VETA noted that Tanzania currently has 80 vocational training centres operating at regional and district levels. At the same time, the government has expanded access by constructing an additional 64 district-based colleges and a regional college in Songwe.
The authority added that beneficiaries who already possess informal skills would also be able to undergo competency assessments and receive formal certification, improving their chances of securing employment or starting businesses.
The agreement forms part of broader efforts by the government to address drug abuse not only through law enforcement but also through rehabilitation and socio-economic inclusion.
Speaking at the event, DCEA Commissioner General, Aretas Lyimo, said treatment alone is often insufficient to ensure lasting recovery.
“Experience shows that treatment by itself is not enough if a person is not supported to reintegrate into normal life,” he said. “Many recovering addicts face unemployment, lack of income, and, in some cases, social stigma. These challenges can push them back into drug use.”
Under the arrangement, recovering drug users will have access to vocational courses in trades including welding, electrical installation, tailoring, automotive mechanics, information technology, and other technical fields.
The Commissioner General said DCEA hopes graduates of the programme will eventually receive startup tools and equipment to help them establish small businesses and generate sustainable incomes.
“Our goal is that after completing training, these graduates will be supported with basic tools to start work and earn an income,” he said. “We will also continue working with microfinance institutions to connect them with capital and entrepreneurship opportunities.”
He described the initiative as a practical expression of the principle of providing individuals with a second chance in life.
“People who have overcome addiction need support, encouragement and trust so they can rebuild their lives and regain their dignity within society,” he said.
Officials from both institutions said the partnership reflects a growing recognition that successful drug control policies must combine enforcement with rehabilitation, education and economic empowerment.
VETA urged families and communities to encourage young people to pursue vocational training as a means of reducing vulnerability to drug abuse, unemployment, and other social risks.
The programme is expected to become a key component of Tanzania’s efforts to strengthen recovery services and improve social reintegration outcomes for people affected by substance abuse.
