NDLEA SOLICITS STAKEHOLDERS’ COOPERATION TO BUILD REHABILITATION CENTER IN 3 SENATORIAL ZONES OF ANAMBRA
REPORTER: CHIKA ESONWUNE
Philanthropists and concerned people of Anambra State have been urged to help in putting up rehabilitation centres in each senatorial zones of the state to fight the menace of substance abuse in the area.
The Commander, National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) in the state, Mr, Daniel Onyishi, made the appeal while interacting with Radio Nigeria on the efforts of the agency towards winning the drug war in the area.
According to the NDLEA boss, the agency’s rehabilitation centre at Onitsha needs expansion as it no longer accommodates the number of drug patients who need rehabilitation.
He said “sometimes, we ask people who want to bring their wards to hold on as a result of space.
“Well meaning and wealthy people of Anambra State should help build more rehabilitation centres and expand the existing one to help us rehabilitate and reintegrate them into the society.”
Mr, Onyishi, who explained that the fight against drug abuse is in two dimensions — drug supply reduction and drug demand reduction— noted that in 2023, the state Command seized 3.338 tons of various hard drugs and destroyed two hectares of farmland with banned substances on it.
Still in the area of drug supply reduction, the NDLEA Commader hinted that a man with 860 grams of Methamphetamine (Mkpuru Mmili) was recently arrested at Mgbakwu Awka North Local Government Area of the state.
“We have also arrested substance suppliers from Oba, Otuocha and other parts of the state.
“We are following up to ascertain the brain behind the supply.
“Our goal is to reduce substance abuse to the barest minimum,” he remarked.
On the drug demand reduction dimension, Mr. Onyishi reiterated their resolve to ensure that the younger generation were shielded from the monster — drug abuse.
“We visit Secondary Schools across the state enlightening students of the dangers and consequences of substance abuse.
“37 schools across the state have been covered this year.We want to catch them young,” he said.
He underscored the role of parents as major stakeholders in the fight against the menace and crime of substance abuse.
The State NDLEA Commander, who described drug patients as sick and helpless, urged friends and family members not to stigmatise or abandon them but show them love.
Acknowledging that God can do all things, Mr. Onyishi advised people not to resort to prayers alone when seeking solutions for substance abusers but consult experts in that field.
He emphasized that NDLEA has the capacity and training to effectively win the war against drug abuse with the cooperation of all stakeholders.
EDITED BY CHUKWUBUIKE MADU
