The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, Anambra State Command has taken its advocacy efforts to the youths of Anambra and relevant stakeholders as part of efforts to curb drug abuse among the youths.
The State NDLEA Commander, Mr Onyishi Ogbonna, said that the event was in line with the mandate given to him upon assumption of office to clean up the state of illicit drugs and reduce cases of drug abuse.
According to him, to achieve the mandate, he had crafted a plan to get down to the grassroots and ensure that from there, the clean-up activity can begin.
“Today, we decided to bring the youths who are most susceptible to drug abuse, from the local areas. At this event, we have representatives of youth groups deliberating with us on how we can get down to the communities, the villages, the wards, and the schools and make sure this message is loud and effective-for youths to shun drug abuse.
“The essence is to bring everybody on board to ensure a holistic approach towards addressing issues of drug abuse,” he said.
Onyishi who spoke on the outcome of the engagement, said the command is leaving the event with the assurances and buy-in of the youths and other stakeholders towards their efforts.
“We saw key stakeholders promise to support us with the sponsorship and advancement of this course at the grassroots. The youths also pledged their unflinching support to the initiative.
“With this, the war is already won because if we can get these young people who are the most prone to the abuse of hard drugs and other substances commit to a drug-free society, then there is no more challenge.”
Destroying the distribution chain
On his part, the State Director of the National Orientation Agency, NOA, Mr Joseph Uchendu, stated that the event will complement ongoing activities by the NOA and other stakeholders at the community level, towards eradicating drug abuse.
He emphasized that for the War against drug abuse to yield the desired result, the stakeholders must work to destroy the distribution chain from the producers to the distributor, down to the courier before it gets to the consumer.
His words; “I want to commend the NDLEA Anambra State Command for the conscious effort towards their mandate. This event is highly commendable and I will ensure that the youths understand their roles in dealing with this hydra-headed monster.
“I am optimistic that with the crop of youths in Anambra today, we will surely achieve a drug-free society.”
Reorientation and rehabilitation
In their separate goodwill messages, the representatives of the Nigerian Army, the Police and the DSS, harped on the need for government to set up a centre to take care of drug addicts, where they will be reorientated and rehabilitated.
They collectively pledged their collaboration in the War against drugs.
Speaking at the occasion, the State National Youth Council of Nigeria, NYCN, Chairman, Surveyor Comrade Obi Emeka Chukwudi, acknowledged that the drug business is a very lucrative enterprise with strong individuals behind it. He noted that the war requires strategic planning to overwhelm those who are beneficiaries of the illicit business.
He made a very strong case against the undue transfer of committed NDLEA officials from Anambra, who are making appreciable progress in crushing drug peddlers.
“What we usually see is a situation whereby once we get a commander who is committed to winning this war in Anambra, all of a sudden, he is transferred and the whole efforts come to nought. This is because very highly-placed persons are behind this wicked business and they have connections.
“Anambra youths therefore demand that the NDLEA hierarchy consider this and ensure that persons posted here and who have started making good progress in dealing with this issue, are left to complete their efforts.
“As Anambra youths, we believe in a sane society, conducive enough for our people to manifest their potentials and a society characterized by drug peddling and addicts cannot guarantee such our expectations.
“Therefore, the NYCN under my watch, will partner with the NDLEA to bring the incidence of drug abuse, especially among our youths to the barest minimum.”
The event also featured a keynote lecture on the War Against Drug Abuse, WADA, and an interactive session with the State NDLEA commander, Onyishi Daniel Ogbonna, and participants especially on how to combat drug abuse.
There was also the presentation of awards in recognition of some individuals and groups’ outstanding inputs towards the efforts of the NDLEA.
The one-day event held in Awka, Anambra State was tagged Stakeholders strategic advocacy/ Seminar on drug abuse: methamphetamine. It was organized by the NDLEA in partnership with Advocates for Global Peace Forum International.
Representatives of youth groups from the 21 Local Government Areas of the state, under the aegis of the National Youth Council of Nigeria, NYCN, as well as other relevant government and private support agencies and bodies, were at the event.
Emmanuel Ukoh
