Michael Onwuka, Enugu
The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) says it is better equipped for the crusade against illicit drug abuse and trafficking in Enugu State.
The NDLEA boss in the state, Mr Anietie Bassey, disclosed this on Wednesday in Enugu during the grand finale of events to mark the 2022 International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Drug Trafficking.
Bassey said that the recent recruitment by the agency and enhanced logistics had paved the way for the agency to effectively spread its tentacles across the state.
According to him, the agency can now move faster and better in its operations because we have enhanced manpower and our personnel are evenly spread across the state.
He said that the agency had done well to reduce the supply of illicit drugs in the state.
He, however, said that the rehabilitation of addicts was still a major challenge due to the special support and care such people needed.
“We have recorded successes in the rehabilitation of illicit drug addicts but we equally have situations where some of them relapsed,” he said.
Bassey appealed to the school children that attended the event to shun peer group influence that would lead them to indulge in illicit drug abuse.
In a goodwill message, the Executive Chairman, Post Primary School Management Board, Mrs Favour Ugwuanyi, commended the agency for sensitising the school children on the dangers of drug abuse.
Ugwuanyi, who was represented by a staff of the board, Mrs Onyinye Ebunoha, admonished the students to take seriously the lessons learnt from the programme.
“This is not the first time you are hearing this. Do not indulge in taking illicit drugs and make sure you take only drugs prescribed by medical personnel.
“You have to learn and to teach others, including your parents and friends,” Ugwuanyi said.
Also, the Executive Director, Worldwide Initiative Against Suicide and Drugs, Mr Chinedu Edeh, said that it was sad that most young people had taken to drugs.
Edeh, however, said that the good news was that the various stakeholders in the crusade against illicit drug abuse had teamwork and good spirit amongst them.
Ikengaonline reports that the highlights of the event included lectures and play-lets by the school children.
The theme of the event was: ‘Addressing Drug Challenges in Health and Humanitarian Crises.’
