The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) Anambra State Command has collaborated with the Nnamdi Azikiwe University (UNIZIK), and the International Society of Substance Use Professionals (ISSUP), South East Zone to mark this year’s World Drug Day.
The NDLEA’s Commander in Anambra State, Mr Daniel Onyishi said the Agency arrested 136 drug traffickers in the state, in the last six months. He also stated that the agency convicted about 79 of the suspects arrested on drug-related offences.
Mr Onyishi was speaking at an event jointly organised by the Agency, UNIZIK and ISSUP to mark the World Drug Day.
He said the agency has so far seized 883.347 kilogrammes of illicit drugs, engaged youths across the 21 LGAs in the state and rehabilitated about 25 clients.
He said that “the agency recently carried out an enlightenment programme in higher institutions, secondary schools and churches.
“These achievements were made possible due to moral and logistics support from the chairman of the agency, Muhammed Buba Barwa.”
The Anambra State Commissioner for Education, Ngozi Chuma-Ude said; “substance abuse is a cankerworm that every right-thinking person must avoid.”
Ude said drug addiction reduces human beings to vegetables and encouraged youths to shun the habit as it is hazardous to their health and well-being.
The Vice Chancellor of Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, Okechukwu Osimone described drug abuse as a “silent killer” and urged youths especially students not to be influenced into the consumption of illicit drugs.
“Drug abuse has become a menace in Nigeria such that no week ever passes without a report of illicit drugs intercepted at different parts of the country,” the VC said.
The occasion marked the inauguration of Nnamdi Azikiwe University’s pioneering Master’s degree programme in Addiction Intervention, the first of its kind in the entire West Africa region. The programme was led by the Chief Executive of the International Consortium of Universities for Drug Demand Reduction (ICUDDR).
Additionally, the event included the official launch of the War Against Drug Abuse (WADA) initiative at UNIZIK. The establishment of WADA within the University serves as a significant outcome of the collaborative efforts between NDLEA Anambra State Command and the university’s management. It demonstrates the Vice Chancellor’s strong commitment to preventing drug abuse among our students.
In his short note lecture, a Professor of Clinical Psychology, Prof. Mike Ezenwa advised NDLEA to evolve proactive measures towards tackling the menace of drug trafficking and abuse.
The theme of the 2023 celebration is; “People First: Stop Stigma and Discrimination, Strengthen Prevention”.
The highlight of the event was the launch of the War Against Drug Abuse (WADA), by the Chairman of NDLEA, Mohammed Marwa, who was represented by Mr Samila Etta, Zonal Commander, Owerri.
Moreover, the event featured a Quiz competition for Secondary Schools and the VC Cup competition for undergraduate students of Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka.
Mercy Chukwudiebere
