DRUG ABUSE: UGWUANYI ENJOINS PUPILS, STUDENTS TO JOIN THE FIGHT
Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi of Enugu state yesterday enjoined high school students to join the fight against drug abuse and illicit drug trafficking, saying it was imperative to do that to secure their future which would determine Nigeria’s future national growth and development.
He warned that the present level of drug trafficking is already a huge threat to the society: “There is no gainsaying that drug trafficking which was once largely viewed as a social problem, has transformed in recent years into a major threat to the security, health and stability of people and regions”.
The governor who was interacting with students taking part in the commemoration of the International Day against drug abuse and illicit drug trafficking organized by the Enugu state command of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency(NDLEA) at St. Mulumba Catholic Church, New Haven, practically extracted commitment from the participating students as he personally met them in their groups.
In view of their visible resolve to shun drug abuse and to join in the on-going war, Governor Ugwuanyi made a token donation of N100,000 to each of the nine participating schools to improve sporting activities in their schools, following a request to that effect by one of the students’ guides, and that was in addition to the on-going plans by the state government to improve sports development in the state through an imminent executive bill to the Enugu state House of Assembly as recently announced by the governor.
The elated students showered praises on the governor and actually sang a praise song for him as he moved from one segment of the students to another in the church’s auditorium, venue of the event.
The governor told the gathering on the occasion that the state government was unequivocally committed to fighting drug abuse trafficking and that the resolve was informed by the fact that the healthy development of the youth, who are often the victims of the cankerworm is key to whatever efforts the government is making towards national growth.
In line with his postulation that drug abuse and the illicit drug trafficking now constitute a major threat to the security, health and stability of people and regions of the world, Governor Ugwuanyi lameneted that “the rapidly expanding drug trade, is indeed not only exacerbating addiction and money-laundering but fueling political instability, criminality and conflicts in many parts of the world including Nigeria.
“This year’s International Day against Drug Trafficking therefore provides another opportunity to highlight the importance of addressing these threats through the rule of law, adequate public enlightenment and the provision of necessary health, counseling and rehabilitation services.
“The seriousness of the situation we find ourselves today in relation to drug trafficking and its dire consequences, demands a collective, balanced and integrated approach that should engender substantial reduction in both supply and demand and also employ measures focusing on prevention, treatment, rehabilitation and social cohesion”, he
stated.
Our Online correspondent, Chukwuma Ezeogu reports that the State commander of NDLEA for Enugu state command of the agency, Barrister Anthony Ohanyere, on the occasion commended the governor for clearly identifying with the agency’s efforts to the rid the state of illicit drug trafficking and drug abuse
