National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Anambra state Command, recently disclosed that 2.8557 tons of drugs were seized in the state between between June 2023 to June 2024.
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The State Commander, Onyishi Daniel stated this at the United Nations Day for Drug and Illicit substances abuse, themed, “The Evidence Is Clear: Invest in Prevention”.
He also disclosed that a total of 360 suspects were arrested and 197 the suspects successfully prosecuted between the same period. He added that 258 suspects were counselled and rehabilitated.
He said the feat was achieved through the morale boost of officers by NDLEA Chairman Chief Executive Officer Brig. Gen. Mohammed Buba Marwa and Anambra government led by Prof Chukwuma Soludo who had been supportive with logistics.
He restated the Command’s unwavering commitment in combating of the drug menace, saying, “we believe that the best prevention is to ensure that illicit drugs are not available.”
He added, “This year’s commemoration is to raise awareness for a joined hand approach for effective prevention strategies. It calls for collaboration by government, public/private organizations and individuals for greater investment in prevention efforts.
“I call on Anambra people, especially the President-Generals of communities to strengthen the existing security structure to make their communities uncomfortable for drug dealers. The command is willing and available not only to professionally handle the information you provide on the drug activities in your areas but also ready to sensitize your youths on the inherent dangers of drug abuse and trafficking.
“It is recommended that “Drug Wards” be established in all Government General Hospitals for the proper management of drug users to avoid dependency. This will take care of the challenge of non-availability of treatment centres for the drug challenge. The services in such centres should be affordable.”
The acting Vice Chancellor, Nnamdi Azikiwe University Awka, Prof. Joseph Ikechebelu, said the institution was not only concerned with teaching, research and community service, but overall wellbeing of the students and staff.
Ikechebelu, who was represented by Dean, Faculty of Engineering, Prof. Solomon Nwigbo said, “The university has a Centre for Psychological Services and a Centre for Counseling and Career Development whose efforts, combining with other resources in the university, human and maternal have yielded the production and publication of the booklet, “Nnamdi Azikiwe University Drug Law Policy” unveiled today.
“The document which captures the overall intendment of the UN office on drugs and crime will find good use well beyond this institution, in other tertiary institutions, secondary schools and other organizations in the country,” he added.
Earlier, the traditional ruler of Awka Kingdom, Gibson Nwosu who chaired the occasion, called for aggressive grassroots sensitization to ensure the menace was minimized to the barest minimum.
The monarch, represented by Palace Secretary, Chief Okonkwo Pius, blamed growing increase of killings, kidnapping and other vices to intake of drugs, especially among youths.
He called on stakeholders to put heads together to ensure all necessary interventions were put in place to fight drug abuse.
“I urge government at all levels to support the NDLEA through building of skills acquisition training institutions in the various commands to engage the youths meaningfully.
“I also call on Federal Government to reestablish technical schools and renovate the moribund ones. Thats why Ghana is better than us because in every youth there is a minimum of 3 skills,” Nwosu said.
Meanwhile, during the 10th edition of the Anambra State Command of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, and Lady Victoria Onyido annual Quiz competition sponsored by the traditional ruler of Ogidi Kingdom, Igwe Alexander Onyido, Mater Amabilis Secondary School Umuoji in Idemili North Local Government Area of the state, emerged winners.
The school won in the quiz competition having defeated three other secondary schools that made it to the Grand finale held during this year’s World Drug Free Day celebration organized at Nnamdi Azikiwe University Awka by Anambra State NDLEA in collaboration with the University.
The three students that won the competition for Mater Amabilis Secondary School smiled home with a laptop each, cash prizes, offset of their WAEC, NECO and Jamb examination fees, and cheque of one hundred and twenty-two thousand naira for the school.
While each of the students of St. Charles College Onitsha that took second position, went home with Galaxy Tab, cash awards and offset of their WAEC, NECO and Jamb fees, as well as cheque of one hundred and twelve thousand naira for the school while the three students that represented St. Lucy Secondary School Ifite Awka that came third, received plasma television set, cash award, and cheque of ninety-nine thousand naira for the school.
Community Secondary School Nanka that took fourth position went home with standing fans, and three students that took first second and third positions in the university category smiled home with hundred thousand naira each.
