Enugu Gov to partner NDLEA to fight drug abuse

Gov.

Ugwuanyi said this in Enugu on Monday while marking this year’s International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking with a theme: “Listen to Children and Youths First”.

He noted that such partnership became necessary to discourage youths from the act.

Ugwuanyi said that the state government would identify with NDLEA as the consumption of narcotic drugs and other hard drugs had transformed into a major threat in the World.

The governor described the menace of drug trafficking and abuse as a ‘social problem’ that had resulted into criminality and conflict.

``The problem we find ourselves today was as a result of drug trafficking and it is common among our youths.

``Children and youths are the leaders of tomorrow whose growth are important tools for national building.

``Adequate measure should be put in place to tackle the problem through public enlightenment on the danger of drug trafficking and abuse,’’ Ugwuanyi said.

He called for the collaboration of traditional rulers, mass media, churches and mosques in the fight against the intake of narcotics and other related hard drugs as they damage the future of youths.

The NDLEA Commandant in Enugu, Mr Anthony Ohanyere, said that the programme was intended to create an awareness and campaign against illicit drugs and its trafficking.

He described drug war as `a global war’ that everyone should embark-on as it affects children and youths.

Ohanyere advised that parents should listen to their children and identify their needs at all time, so that they should have better understanding of what they want and children listen to their parents as they would not mislead them like their peers.

A student from Saint Patrick College, Emene, Master Samuel Ossai, said that he would take the campaign to his school so that other students would know the effect of the illicit drugs on their lives.

``A good student should avoid narcotic intake to avoid ruining his/her future as it can affect their whole system,” he said.

In his remarks, the Commandant, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Enugu Command, Mr Steve Amoga, said that his command would continue to support NDLEA in its fight against drug abuse and trafficking.

He said that in the past, his command had arrested culprits and handed them over to NDLEA for investigation and prosecution.

``The war against drug abuse and trafficking was a responsibility everyone in the society will engage in.

``I know the importance of our children to us, that is why I attended this programme personally,” he said.