Nigeria now requires more rehabilitation centres for drug addicts, the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA has alerted.
The agency’s chairman, retired Brig.-Gen. Mohammed Marwa, in Ibadan on Thursday during an advocacy and sensitisation event to relevant stakeholders in Oyo State, gave the hint even as he urged Nigerians, especially the youths, to embrace healthy living and shun drug and substance abuse.
Marwa, represented by NDLEA Assistant Commander-General of Narcotics, Maurine Afolabi, also called for increased counselling platforms and opportunities with drug users. He said an unchecked exposure to drugs can cause severe damage to the victim’s internal organs, among other consequences.
The News Agency of Nigeria reports the programme was organised by NDLEA, Oyo State Command, in partnership with Hon. Abass Adigun, a member, Oyo State House of Representatives.
Adigun represents Ibadan South-East/North-East Constituency.
In his remarks, Gov. Seyi Makinde of Oyo State said the state was ready to combat drug abuse and had put measures in place to deal decisively with drug addicts.
Makinde, represented by his deputy, Adebayo Lawal, said the menace of drug abuse, especially in motor parks and other areas, must be collectively tackled for the sake of future generations.
“There is drug abuse in secondary, primary schools and universities, and some of them even prepare the drug themselves.
“Every crime you find in society, like kidnapping and banditry, is usually associated with drugs.
“No normal human being will use a knife to kill his fellow human being without first being under the influence of drugs,” he said.
The governor said that the public must be sanitised of drug abuse for stability, development of the state, and to attract investors.
According to him, no investor will come to an unstable state.
Meanwhile, Adigun, who is also the Chairman, House of Rep. Committee on Narcotics, said that Nigeria was sitting on a time bomb.
“If care is not taken, the future of the youths may be in dilemma due to illicit drug consumption,” he said.
He said that he would continue to fight for the agency’s adequate funding and employment of personnel.
Adigun appealed to all tiers of government to support the NDLEA with necessary logistics to combat drug abuse in society, for the betterment of the country.
Meanwhile, the Oyo State Director, National Orientation Agency, Dr Olukemi Afolayan, called on NDLEA not to go after illicit drug consumers alone but also the sellers.
Afolayan said the consequences of drugs were enormous and all stakeholders must come together to tackle the menace for the future of the youths and the nation’s development.
NAN
