In commemoration with the United Nations International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking,the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA today said the organization led by Brig. Gen. Buba Marwa Rtd is winning the war against drug abuse in the Country.
The Warri Area Commander of the NDLEA, Mr. Isibor Victor Chuks, an Assistant Commander of Narcotics made the assertion during a chat with newsmen shortly after a sensitization rally against drug abuse in collaboration with members of the Delta State Human Right Protection Congress and the Committee for the Defence of Human Right,CDHR in Warri.
He said Brig. Gen. Marwa has left no stone unturned in the war against drug abuse.
Mr. Isibor however noted that poor funding is a major challenge militating against the war against drug abuse.
Mr. Isibor pointed out that the NDLEA premises is unkept stressing that there’s no rehabilitation center the command which covers for local government areas.
According to him, there’s only a rickety operational vehicle which they used for their work.
Mr. Isibor and the human right organizations urged the youths to stay away from drugs saying,”Narcotic drugs are death traps. Drug kills slowly. Drug are weapons of mass destruction. Be informed that drugs end all dreams.”
He added that, “World drug day is a day to share research findings, evidence-based data and lifesaving facts and to continue tapping into a shared spirit of solidarity. UNODC invites everyone to do their part, by taking a firm stance against misinformation and unreliable sources, while committing to sharing only the real science backed data on drugs and save lives.
“The aim of this year’s campaign is to raise awareness about the importance of treating people who use drugs with respect and empathy, providing evidence based voluntary services for all, offering alternatives to punishment, prioritizing prevention and leading with passion.
“The campaign also aims at combating stigma and discrimination against people who use drugs by promoting language and attitudes that are respectful and non-judgmental. In other words, drug addicts are to be seen as sick person’s that needs help to recover from their illness.”
The Public Relations Officer,PRO of the Delta State Human Right Protection Congress,Comrade Harrison Itulua also in a chat with newsmen decried the effects of drug abuse in the society. He said the NDLEA had in times past cracked down and arrested drug barons in the Country. Comrade Itulua warned that drug abuse could lead to hypertension, stroke and other ailments in the human body. He pointed out that is also the cause of some of the heinous crimes being peppetuated are done under the influences of drug abuses. In his words,”armed robbery and Kidnapping, rape are done under the influence of drug abuse.” Comrade Itulua who doubles as CDHR State Treasurer said this is why we have come to “Say No to drugs and Yes to life.” He Urged the youths to shun the abuse of drugs and live a meaningful life.
The Secretary of the Delta State Human Right Protection Congress, Comrade Kelvin Ejumudo also called on the youths to stay away from the abuse of drugs stressing that,”it is responsible for the crimes and Criminality in the society.
The Director, Delta State Human Right Protection Congress, Comrade Monday Enudi thanked the NDLEA and the Civil Society Organizations for the collaboration in the sensitization exercise against drug abuse.
He said the drug abuse is dangerous to the human health stressing that,”it damages the organs.”
Comrade Enudi said the negative influences of drug abuse reflects in the conduct and behaviour of the individual who indulges in it.
Our Correspondent who monitored the exercise reports that the NDLEA in collaboration with the Delta State Human Right Protection Congress and the Committee for the Defence of Human Rights, CDHR began this year’s United Nations International Day against Drug Abuse and illicit trafficking with a sensitization rally from the Warri Area Command of the NDLEA along Deco road to Hausa Quarters, Warri main garage, Lower Erejuwa and other parts of Warri.
They sensitized members of the public against drug abuses in their lives,homes, communities, State and society at large.
They beared placards with inscriptions such as,”No to drug. Yes to life”,”Drugs Kills. Say No to tramadol, Say No to Codeine” as well as “Say No to drugs.”
The them for the sensitization rally is, “People First. Stop stigma, discrimination, strengthen prevention”.
