By: Sunny David/Anambra
The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Anambra State Command has observed that the incessant abuse of the methamphetamine by young people makes them to lose their senses thereby leading to various crimes in the society and breach of peace and harmony in Nigeria.
The State Commander of the Agency, Mr. Sule Momodu who made the observation in, Awka during the 2018 International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking expressed concern over the increasing rate of drugs, especially methamphetamine, in some communities in the state.
He identifies the catchment communities as Achalla, Ukwulu, Ebenebe and Ayamelum communities, saying the Agency would not sleep until the State is rid of all forms of illicit drug abuse.
According to him, the State Command had convicted about 22 persons and 40 suspects arraigned for drug related offences between January and June, 2018.
The State Commander said the suspects have been convicted for being in possession of hard drugs such as methamphetamine, heroin and cannabis sativa in different quantities while over 100 cases were still pending at the federal high court.
“The suspects were arrested at different occasions with substances ranging from 0.7 grams to 18 kilograms and have received sentences ranging from 12 months to seven years.
“Three laboratories where drugs were produced had been shut down in the state. I called for collaborative effort of the state government, traditional rulers and other stakeholders in curbing the upsurge of violent crime which was the only way to maintain the status of the state as the safest in the country.
“I commend the state government for its support to the agency, such gesture was key to the successes being recorded in the fight against drug menace in the society” He Informed.
The National Chief Executive Officer of NDLEA, Colonel Muhammad Mustapha, in his address read by Mr. Momodu opined that Nigeria had been in the forefront of the United Nations designated international anti-drug day since 1988 and one week event had been full of anti-drug activities ranging from media programmes to sermons in worship centers.
“It is not acceptable that parents who have the primary responsibility of listening to their wards have rather resorted to blaming teachers, pastors, Imams, law enforcement agencies and their children’s peers for their drug indulgence.
“It raised concern over the current trend in drug abuse where the use of pharmaceutical opioids like tramadol and cough syrups containing codeine has overtaken the use of cocaine and heroin in the county” he stressed.
In his speech, the Governor of Anambra State, Governor Obiano who was represented by the Commissioner for Information and Public Enlightenment, Mr. C-Don Adinuba called on both parents and students to imbibe the habit of listening to one another, stressing that it was more rewarding to listen more than talking more.
He identified peer pressure as the major cause of the increasing spate of crime in the state and warned the students to resist from such pressure.
“My administration would not relent in supporting the NDLEA in the fight against illicit drug abuse and the best way to fight crime was to catch them young.
“Those who are more effective are those who listen, when you listen, you learn more” the Governor ends.
