Enugu state commander of Nigeria’s drug law enforcement agency NDLEA Mr. Abel Sunu Wadahi has said that over 400,000 youths are involved and grossly abuse different types of drugs in the state alone.
Mr Wadahi disclosed this at the palace of Enugu state chairman council of traditional rulers Igwe Samuel Ikechukwu Asadu when he paid a one-day walking visit to the traditional ruler, stressed that youths in the state are deep neck addicted to various types of drug abuse in Enugu and it’s environs.
He said that the rate of drug abuse in the state is unimaginable and if not nipped in the bud now, the danger would be a sorry sight shortly as some youths take pride in cannabis, tramadol, mkprumiri, cocaine, and heroin among others.
NDLEA has come to change the narrative among youths to live a better life free from drugs to a filled life in synergy with the state policy on youth mobilization and empowerment for a better society.
The NDLEA Chief explained that the rate of crime wave amongst youths across towns, communities, and schools in the state is unassuming, pointing out that youths allegedly get involved in violent crimes due to high levels of drugs which leads to criminal activities in diverse areas of society.
“The agency has embarked on a sensitization tour to visit every community, school and public institution in the state on the mantra ‘Save our Family’ campaign over drug abuse” he said.
Wadahi appealed to the state Chief of Chiefs Igwe Samuel Asadu (Okenwa Ogadagidi) traditional ruler of Edem/Ogwgwu ancient kingdom and erstwhile chairman of South/East council of traditional rulers to join hands with the agency in the drug war till an enviable success is achieved.
“NDLEA has introduced a drug integrity analyzer capable of analyzing 15 types of drugs one person may have taken over the years. Families are advised to queue into the drug integrity analyzer which would enable them to checkmate wards/children’s level of drug abuse both cannabis, tramadol, cocaines, mkprumiri and heroin intake”
“The integrity drugs analyzer is available for sale at the agency for schools, communities and families across Enugu state. The state command also has a rehabilitation centre where about 20 clients (inmates) are held up, treated, rehab and counselled for a new life in the state. The NDLEA centre in Enugu has been in existence for the past 10 years with doctors, nurses, psychologists and counsellors for the good of state and beyond” he noted.
The NDLEA state commander urged the the traditional ruler to take the drug war to all nooks and crannies of the state, using his good offices to champion the war against drug abuse WADA. The agency bestowed the traditional ruler with an award “Ambassador of War Against Drug Abuse” (WADA), “If you see something say something’ Enugu state sensitization campaign mantra.
In response to the ambassador of War Against Drug Abuse WADA Enugu state, the state chairman council of traditional rulers Igwe Samuel Ikechukwu Asadu (Okenwa Ogadagidi) and traditional ruler of Edem/Ogwugwu ancient kingdom in Nsukka local government area Enugu state expressed gratitude for the award of ambassador of War Against Drug Abuse. He said that the war against drug abuse is a collective fight across Enugu state and beyond and shall be tackled with every sense of seriousness until our youths say no to any kind drug, mkprumiri, tramadol, Indian hemp and others.
Igwe Asadu Chairman of Enugu state Chief of Chiefs assured the agency that the war against drug abuse would go around in all the communities, adding that all traditional rulers in the state would key into the drug War by sensitizing youths on the dangers of abuse.
Igwe Asadu assumed that he would mount a billboard for the campaign against drug abuse as an ambassador of the War Against Drug Abuse WADA Enugu state which would be replicated in other commitments across the state with the Inscription “If you see something, say something” NDLEA war against drug abuse, for real.
The War Against Drug Abuse WADA in Enugu state must be taken to the hinterlands of the state to ensure that youths are free from drug abuse. However, Igwe Asadu urged communities, President General’s PGs, school heads and families to queue into the NDLEA drug integrity analyzer to checkmate wards/children in schools, families and communities to make Enugu state a better place for youths and adults.