NDLEA Warns Youths, “Hard Drugs Do Not Give Inspiration”
By Izunna Okafor, Awka
Anambra State Command of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has revealed that the Agency seized no fewer than 3.338 tons of different types of hard drugs in the State in 2023.
Anambra State Commandant of NDLEA, Mr. Daniel Onyishi, who disclosed this during a chat with newsmen, informed that the consignments and substances were seized at different locations in the State.
He also informed that the Command secured no fewer than 160 convictions on drug-related offences and also rehabilitated 100 drug abuse patients in the State that same 2023.
Onyishi explained that NDLEA has been making continuous efforts to combat drug trafficking and abuse through various avenues which include radio programs, outdoor campaigns and sensitization of schools children on dangers and detrimental effects of hard drugs both on individuals and society at large.
He quoted recent statistics from the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), which said that 14.4% Nigerians are on drugs, and added that the research also projected that the alarming figure may hit 40% by 2030.
The NDLEA Boss called for collaborative effort in the fight against drug abuse, to bring perpetrators to justice.
He asserted that selling or trafficking drugs is not a business venture, urging members of the public not to shield, but to always expose and report any drug dealer to the NDLEA, irrespective of their relationship or closeness.
He said: “If you know anyone who deals on drugs, make NDLEA know. Don’t shield or harbour them. Selling drugs is not a business.
“Anybody who knows a drug dealer but shields him or refuses to let NDLEA know about his illicit drug deals, is an enemy of the State because you’re not doing the state and the society any good.
“But if you reveal the information to us, you will see that we will tackle the menace from the root point and achieve greater results, because if there is no supply, there can’t be demand.
“People use drugs because they see where to get them. But when they don’t see drugs to buy, they won’t have any to use. And by so doing, the society gets better sanitized of drugs.”
The NDLEA Commandant further refuted the claims by some youths that taking hard drugs gives them inspiration and makes them more creative.
Mr. Onyishi described such claim as false impression, stressing that drug does not give inspiration, and does not make one creative or intelligent, let alone allowing the person contribute positively to the society.
He cautioned the public to stay away from illicit drugs, and further reassured that the Agency would not relent in combating the menace.
The NDLEA helmsman also expressed optimism that the Agency’s new collaboration with the wife of the State Governor, Mrs. Nonye Soludo, who is now the Chairperson of the State’s Drug Control Committee, would yield more fruitful and impactful results in the fight against drug abuse in Anambra State.
