NDLEA sensitizes stakeholders on prevailing drug challenges in Enugu State

Following the increasing rate of drug abuse in Enugu State, National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, on Tuesday, organised a one-day stakeholder’s sensitization workshop on prevailing drug challenges in the state.

Tagged “Walk Away from drugs: the need to mobilises stakeholders for collective action”, the NDLEA State Commander, Abdul Abdullahi, said the aim of the workshop was to bring all stakeholders to collaborate and end the cases of trafficking by volunteering information as well as help to sensitise the general public on the dangers of drug use.

Abdullahi disclosed that in spite of the concerted efforts of NDLEA in the anti-drug crusade, the incidence of drug abuse and trafficking appears to be making in road as it threatens the foundation of the society. 

He said “the most disturbing have been the active involvement of the youths in the business,” adding that in the last one year, “the command has arrested a total of 116 suspects for various drug offences comprising of 112 males and 4 females.

He said the Command equally seized “2.5 tons of cannabis sativa, 76.5 grammes of cocaine, 3.44 grammes of heroine, 119.45 grammes of methamphetamine and 30 kilogrammes of psychotropic substances.”

The NDLEA State Commander, stated that out of the 116 arrests 29 convictions were secured while 14 clients are undergoing rehabilitation at the Command’s centre. He advised that the best way of stopping drug is by not starting at all.

In a separate goodwill messages, stakeholders who were from various security agencies, traditional institutions, religious leaders, academy and government functionaries, expressed believe that to eradicate drug abuse, the fight must start from the family by ensuring that “our children are well trained.”

They also advocated that drug abuse should be included in our educational curriculum, noting that greatest weapon of drug abuse is Information.
 
In his address, the Special Assistance to Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi on Drugs and Narcotics, Mr Pius Chidiebe described the stakeholders engagement as apt, adding “the aftermath of drug or substance abuse among our youths is of great concern to Enugu State Government.”

Chidiebe stated “the EndSARS protest was hijacked by hoodlums who were under the influence of drugs and engaged in wanton destruction of infrastructural facilities provided by the government and private property.”

He said that workshop was convened in order for the stakeholders to form a synergy with government as part of effort to arrest the scourge which he described has become pandemic in our time.