Adamawa State Government To Partner With NDLEA To Reduce Effects Of Drug Abuse
The Adamawa state governor Barr Bala James Nggilari, said the state government will partner with the National Drugs laws enforcement Agency, NDLEA to reduce the of drugs abuse that has being in a rampage in the society, Nggilari revealed this through his Deputy Chief of Staff, Prof. George Moses.
He added that the consumption of hard drugs had eaten deep into the fabrics of the country.
Moses said, "both the physical and the psychosocial effects of those drugs are dangerous to the human health and the society at large.
He called on religious leaders in the state to preach hope to unemployed youths who were vulnerable to use of illicit drugs.
``Our youths are in a situation of hopelessness due to lack of jobs, and we are urging our religious leaders to preach hope to them.
``Use of illicit drugs has eaten deep into the fabrics of our society and both its physical and psychosocial effects are enormous.
``I therefore, implore Nigerians to join the NDLEA to fight this war against abuse of drugs and to mitigate its negative impact on our society.
``To us, we are ready to support the agency to reduce its effect to the barest minimum.
``We also need to support the agency to mobilize our youth for a drug free society especially during this electioneering campaign period.''
In his address, Alhaji Ahmadu Giade, Chairman of the NDLEA said the agency was permitted by the court to destroy a total of 8,127.576 kilogrammes of hard drugs in the state.
Giade, who was represented by Mr Sunday Mbona, Director of Prosecution and Legal Services Department of the agency, said that those drugs were seized from drug dealers within the state.
He noted that youths were the target of drug barons, advising parents to teach their children not to traffic in drugs or get involved in drug abuse.
He said that many students had dropped out of school on account of drug abuse, also solicited the collaboration of all stakeholders to amplify the anti-drug abuse campaign.
``We have observed that youths are the target of drug barons as they either use them in smuggling drugs or get them involved in drug abuse.
``In addition to drug trafficking and abuse which is a criminal problem, it is also a public health threat, as many people are dying due to health complications resulting from drug abuses.
``We appeal to parents to teach their children not to traffic in drugs or get involved in drug abuse as many children have dropped out of school on account of drugs.
``Some others have ruined their lives by being in prison custody for trafficking narcotics.
``We therefore, seek the support and collaboration of individuals, families, opinion leaders, groups and the media to add their voices in amplifying the anti-drug abuse campaign.''
Gov. Bala Nggilari said his administration will continue to support the National Drugs Law Enforcement Agency(NDLEA) to reduce the effect of drug abuse in the state.He made the statement Wednesday, while witnessing a public destruction of drug exhibits in Yola by official of NDLEA.
Earlier, Alhaji Hassan Zungeru, Commander of the NDLEA in the state said the command remained resolute in winning the anti drug war.
Zungeru commended other security agencies in the state for assisting the command in fighting the war.
He said the fight could not be achieved by an individual organization.
According to him, the war, if succeeded will reduce crime and other social vices in the state.
He called on the government and all stakeholders in the state to support the agency to win the fight.
He however, said that the command had lost some gallant officers in its efforts to arrest drug barons, calling for the repose of the souls of the fallen victims.
Those hard drugs that were destroyed at the occasion were cannabis sativa (hemp), tramadol capsules and psychotropic substances.