…As NDLEA, NPF, Others Join Campaign Against Drug, Substance Abuse
Chairperson, Delta State Drug Control Committee, (SDCC), Pharm. Mrs Helen Orie, has reiterated commitment to ensure that drug abuse is brought to the bearest minimum in the state.
Orie made this known during the commemoration of the 2022 International Day against drug abuse and illicit trafficking with the theme, ‘addressing drug challenges in health and humanitarian crisis’ in Asaba, the state capital.
She said that with the support of the state government excessive abuse of drug and the users would be clamped down so as to achieve a better life and society.
On his part, the state Commander, National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, Barr. Tunde John urged parents to watch the company their children keeps so as not to be exposed to drug abuse.
Tunde also called on the media to help in providing information of persons involved in drug abuse.
While giving an overview of drug situation in the state, Barr. Tunde said the Committee was a replica of what was attainable in the federal level, adding that so far has been achieved in eradicating narcotic drugs in the country and the state.
According to him, with the laudable programmes of the state Governor targeted at reducing the menace of drug abuse, the narrative had changed in the state, adding that a lot of success have been recorded in the fight against drug abuse.
He said the NDLEA were in the forefront of the fight which has recorded so much successes from January till date as they have arrested 104 suspects.
He said the emerging trend of female inclusiveness in drug abuse had led to the intervention of the office of the wife of the state governor.
While speaking on behalf of the wife of the governor, Dame Edith Okowa, the wife of the Deputy Speaker, Mrs Ann Ochor Ochor advised parents, teachers, clerics to be at the forefront of the campaign against drug abuse, by keeping an eye on the children
She also admonished them not to relent in talking to their children on the danger it poses to the users, so as to raise a healthier society.
Dame Okowa said her office would ensure that they stop drug abuse and reduce the decay caused by it’s after effect.
In his words the Commissioner of Health, Dr Mordi Ononye said the menace was not a fight for only the state government but for all to be inclusive in the war against drug abuse.
Ononye said as part of effort to tackling the menace, the State government has continued to fund the state drug control Committee so as to help increase the awareness of drug abuse problems and creating a demand reduction.
The Commissioner also disclosed that the state had also help provided support system to help the drug addicts come out of the addiction.
On his part the representative of the Commissioner of Police, Ado Ibrahim, spoke on the after effects of drug abuse.
He said the force has always ensure they tackle it by arresting, raiding and later hand the perpetrators of the crime to NDLEA to rehabilitate them.
He urged the stakeholders to synergise by taking the fight to a greater height.
Advising the students, the DCC Uju Igwueze, representing the state Comptroller of Correctional Service, said all social vices were as a result of the effect of drug abuse, hence they should do away from it.
She said say they should do away with any relationship that would leading them to taking drugs as it could ruin their future.
The Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Basic Education, Sir Ede Oghoro promised to synergy with other stakeholders in the state to end the incident of drug abuse in Nigeria so as to be sure of a better society.
Highlight of the programme was a lecture by the deputy Vice Chancellor, University of Benin, Prof. Ray Ozolua.
