INTERNATIONAL DAY AGAINST DRUG ABUSE…Youths warned against Illicit drugs

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, in Anambra State says it has recorded ten convictions, thirty-five arraignments and over one hundred cases pending at the Federal High Court Awka.  The Commander of NDLEA, in the State, Mr. Sule Momodu made this known during the 2018 International Day Against Drug Trafficking and Abuse held in Awka.

He said four laboratories producing methamphetamine in the state had been shut down, and explained that the war against illicit drug was a war for all.  Mr Momodu who described Governor Willie Obiano as the pillar of the command, noted that he had been providing all the necessary tools required to make their job easy.

Speaking on the theme of the event, Governor Willie Obiano represented by the State Commissioner for Information, Mr C. Don Adinuba commended NDLEA for what it had achieved so far in the area.  He explained that the danger posed by drug abuse was enormous to the society and appealed to youths to be mindful of the type friends they keep.

Governor Obiano said the three vehicles earlier promised the command would be released soon, attributing all the crimes and criminality in the society to drug abuse. The Commissioner for Health, Dr Joe Akabuike, emphasized   the need for both children and parents to listen first to each other, stressing that, drugs when misused could cause a lot of problem to the society.

Two of the students, Miss Happiness Kelechi and Master Chidera Nnamani identified lack of parental care as the main reason why children abuse drug. He appealed to parents to develop a cordial working relationship with their children. Over two thousand students drawn from all the secondary schools in the State attended the event.

Also in Ebonyi State, NDLEA says it seized two hundred and fifty kilogrammes of hard drugs in the last one year.

The State Commander of NDLEA, Mr. Raph Igwenagu stated this at a sensitization to mark this year’s International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Drug Trafficking at Abakaliki High School PRESCO.

Mr. Igwenagu explained that the seizure comprised mainly marijuana while fifty suspects; forty five males and five females were arrested.

He emphasized that the Agency had stepped up sensitization against drug abuse in the State and urged parents and guardians to be close to their children and wards to discourage them from intake of hard drugs.

The Senior Special Assistant on Health Services in the State, Dr Sunday Nwangele pointed out that the State Government had set up a task force mandated to collaborate with NDLEA to rid the state of fake drugs.

Two of the students commended the NDLEA for taking advantage of International Day against Drug Abuse to enlighten them on the dangers associated with drug abuse especially Tramadol and Codeine syrup.

Meanwhile, the Wife of the Abia State Governor, Mrs Nkechi Ikpeazu has advised youths to always stay away from the use of illicit and hard drugs capable of ruining their lives.She gave the advice in a message to the 2018 United Nation’s Day against Drug Abuse and Drug trafficking in Umuahia.

Mrs Ikpeazu who was represented by the Commissioner for Special Duties, Deaconess Precious Achumba noted that the menace of drug abuse and drug trafficking among  youths was on the increase urging them to always say no to its usage.

The wife of the Governor advised parents to always know the company their children keep as most cases of drug abuse and drug trafficking could be trace to peer groups.

In a remark, the State Commander, National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA Abia State, Mr Akingbede Bamidele stated that the command had in the last three years arrested and prosecuted over two hundred suspected drug peddlers as well as the seizure of about three tons of hard drugs in the state.

Also speaking, the Senior Special Adviser to Governor on Narcotics, Mr David Anyanwu called on stakeholders and faith based organizations as well as the media to join hands with the government and the Agency in educating the youths on the danger inherent in the use of hard drugs.

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