NDLEA Celebrates World International Day Against Drug Abuse, Illicit Trafficking  In Imo

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International Day Against Drug Abuse

Dan Opara

 

The leadership and management of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency,NDLEA,Imo State Command,was on Wednesday June 26th 2019,joined their counterparts from across the world in the celebration of “2019 United Nations International Day Against Drugs Abuse and Illicit Drug Trafficking” in collaboration with People Against Drug Dependence and Ignorance,PADDI,with the theme:”Health for Justice,Justice for Health”.

 

The annual epoch global event which place at Agency’s State Secretariat along Owerri/Aba Road,attracted all the Imo State Service Chiefs,Heads of Security Agencies,respected individuals,well-meaning sons and daughters of the state,who graced the occasion,including members of the NYSC,Students from Higher Institutions and those from the Secondary Schools ably present.

 

In his welcome address,the Imo NDLEA State Commander,(of Narcotic),Chief Nse Jack,expressively frowned at the high increasing level of drug abuses in the State and called on the parents,wards and the State Government to assist in the fight against drug abuse and illicit drug trafficking.

 

Mr.Jack,in his words appealed to the Imo State Governor,Chief Emeka Ihedioha,to form and establish Committee Against Drugs Abuse,so as to fight the increase on drug abuse and drug trafficking in Imo State.

 

Mr.Nse,said ” the campaign against drug abuse is a genuine move to enthrone peace and security in the society. NDLEA is therefore playing active role in crime control in Nigeria and deserves to be properly recognized in the society architecture at the Federal,State and Local Govt.levels. The health consequences of drug abuse ate to enormous. It leads to HIV/AIDS,Hepatitis,damage to vital organs of the human body such as kidney,lungs etc. It is also an indispensable fact that illicit drugs and crime are inter-related. Most crime acts such as armed robbery,murder,rape,kidnapping etc,ate perpetrated under the influence of hard drugs. And of course the quest  for drugs also leads to crime such as robbery,stealing,yahoo (internet frauds). Between January and March 2019, about 130.17 kilogrammes of hard drugs of same types earlier mentioned were seized in Imo State,while 53 suspects were arrested and majority of those arrested and they are undergoing trails at the Federal High Courts Owerri. We have counseled 30 drugs abusers while 3 drug dependent persons are undergoing rehabilitation. With our anti-drug campaigns,public enlightenment/sensitization programmes on dangers of  drug abuse and illicit drug trafficking were carried out in 17 locations across the state. In May 2019,MTN in partnership with NDLEA carried out special sensitization activities in some selected locations in Owerri,such as FUTO,ALFCE,IMSU,Govt.College,Waterside Primary School etc.  Imo is one of the six states in Nigeria where this programme was undertaken by MTN”.

 

The Imo NDLEA State Commander,Nse finally appealed for synergy with the Imo State Government towards the fight against drug abuse.

 

Speaking,in his lecture,the Executive Director of People Against Drug Dependence and Ignorance,Barr.Eze Eluchie,who is also a Board Member,World Federation Against Drugs,expressed delight for the success,even as he called for all hands to be on deck to ensure the success of a balanced approach towards addressing the scourge of substance abuse in Imo State.

 

Barr.Eluchie,therefore noted that all the Imo residents can feel and realize the upsurge in substance abuse in our state around us.

 

Also speaking,the Imo State Governor,Chief Emeka Ihedioha,who was ably represented by the Special Adviser on Security Matters,Hon.Raymond Nkemdirim,expressed satisfaction and delight over the successful 2019 World’s Day celebration against drug abuse and illicit drug trafficking organised by the leadership of Imo NDLEA,even as he assured that the govt.of Chief Ihedioha is working towards curbing the menace on indiscriminate drug abuse amongst the youths of the State.

 

The Governor through the SA of Security Matters said his rebuilding mission led administration in no distance time shall form and establish “Office Against Drug Abuse Committee” who would be in-charge in the fight against illicit drug trafficking and abuse as part of reducing the dangers inherent to what he described as unlawful to the society.

 

“We shall immediately form Committee Against Drug Abuse. My govt.shall tackle drug abuse through youths empowerment and job creation. Offcourse,there is no gain in drug abuse. Do not engage yourselves into abusing drugs. Things has come to be changed positively in Imo. Let’s work together to rebuild Imo. We shall work synergy with all the security agencies. There is needs for Community Policing to curb crime and other social vices in the State”,the Governor submitted.

 

Meanwhile,the International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking is a United Nations International Day against drug abuse and the illegal drug trade. It is observed annually on 26th day of June every year and it started since 1989.

 

The observance was instituted by General Assembly Resolution 42/112 of 7 December 1987.

 

On 26th June 1987, two important texts (Comprehensive Multidisciplinary Outline of Future Activities in Drug Abuse Control & Declaration of the International Conference on Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking) were adopted at the International Conference on Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking, which was held in Vienna during 17-26 June 1987.

The UN’s 2007 World Drug Report  puts the value of the illegal drug trade at US$322 billion a year.

 

As people are in more use of drugs and as such we need this day and it is also important.

 

“Health for Justice,Justice for Health’’, the theme for International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking 2019, highlights that “justice and health are two sides of the same coins in addressing drug problems.”

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