Drugs war ; Marwa laments high demand of illicit drugs by Nigerians.
* Says it”s at the root of insecurity in the country.
God’swill Ojodomo Lokoja
The Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, Brig. Gen. Mohammed Buba Marwa (rted) has lamented at the high rate of illicit drugs demand among Nigerians, attributing the incidence of insecurity across the country to illicit drugs consumption.
This is just as he warned parents to constantly monitor the activities of their wards and children and advised religious bodies to intensify their preachings and counseling at their adherents against indulging in the illicit drugs which has become a national tragedy.
Marwa gave the charge on Friday during a meeting with critical stakeholders held in Lokoja , kogi state capital as part of his familiarisation tour of kogi state command of the Agency.
The Chairman pointed out that banditry , insurgency , kidnappings and anti social behaviours of the citizenry which is on the rise is due to high consumption of the psychotropic drugs.
The chairman urged all stakeholders to partner with the agency to fight the scourge which is impacting negatively on the social economic lives of the country .
He said the NDLEA under his watch is determined to reduce its production , distribution and consumption of the drugs to its bearest minimum.
According to him the NDLEA is working assiduously to prevent people from having access to the drugs by confiscating and destroying the illicit drugs as he is committed to smashing drugs supply chains.
He described the drug demand consumption level of the country as alarming, insisting that all stakeholders have critical roles to play in bringing down the demand .
He said the process to reducing drug intake and abuse starts and rest with the family unit, called on parents to live by example.
The NDLEA Chairman advise parents on the need to regularly carry out drug test for intending couples as a way of checking drug intake and abuse.
He described parents particularly mothers , religious leaders, as having the responsibility and burden to check drug abuse by , said for the country to come out of the present insecurity, all hands must be on deck to checkmate the vicious trend.
Marwa commended the initiative by various State Governments to establish three rehabilitation centers in their state and pledged to establishing one per geo political zone of the country.
He disclosed that the NDLEA is working towards the establishment of a special Court to try persons involved in drug abuse,adding that the agency is well positioned to change the high rate of drug abuse in the country to ensure that the lives of the future generations are preserved.
Earlier , the Kogi State Commander of NDLEA, Alfred Adewumi, commended the chairman for successfully srepositioning the NDLEA which has turned the heat on the saboteurs with high quantum of seizures and arrests.
He said the state Command is not resting on her oars in the fight against illicit drugs across the State.
Stakeholders at the meeting including the persons living with disabilities, NCWS, NURTW, and others at the meeting promised their resolve to work with the NDLEA to reduce drastically the incidences of drugs production, distribution and consumption .
