1st March, 2013
The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) in Akwa Ibom has decried the upsurge in incidences of drug abuse in the society.
Mrs. Josephine Obi, the state NDLEA Commander, said this on Thursday during the Anti-Drug Abuse Awareness Seminar organised by Eket Area Command of the agency at Nsit Ubium Local Government.
The seminar was organised by the NDLEA in partnership with ExxonMobil Qua Iboe Terminal (QIT), Ibeno.
Obi attributed the malaise to unfavourable social conditions and declining moral values that encourages wealth without work.
“There is such a great increase in drug abuse and trafficking today due to very unfavourable social conditions and declining moral values which encourage wealth without work,” she said.
She said that people turn to drugs either to escape from the realities of the moment or as a means of quick and profitable business that requires little or no investment.
She said others who resort to drugs complain of unfavourable social background hence the desire to feel good and live movie-like lifestyle without working for it.
“They do not know or close their eyes to the fact that illicit drugs are also a quick road to prison, societal insecurity, ill-health, destruction and death,” Obi said.
The commander stressed the need for increased public enlightenment campaign to ensure that the youths know the dangers inherent in drug abuse and illicit trafficking.
She said that the aim of the seminar was to ensure that people imbibe the culture of living a drug-free life.
“This will in turn ensure healthy, safe and secure society for the benefit of all,” she said.
Obi said the agency had put in place arrangement to reach every village, every school, and every home with the drug-free life message on a continual basis.
Earlier in his remark, the Eket Area Commander of the NDLEA, Alhaji Toyin Ajanaku, identified drug abuse as the cause of other forms of abuse and crimes in the society.
He said that crimes such as terrorism, kidnapping and religious violence cause insecurity in the country and constitute impediments to the progress of Nigeria.
Ajanaku listed some tips for community-drug-free society to include, awareness campaign in schools, communities and public places.
He commended the management and staff of Exxon Mobil for their contribution to the agency.
In a paper he presented at the seminar, Mr. Ome Eyeuche, the Principal Staff Officer, Drug Reduction Unit, NDLEA, Akwa Ibom Command, said that communal laws should be enacted to protect the society from drug abuse.
In the paper entitled, ‘Drugs as Agent of other Forms of Abuses,’ Eyeuche said that the threats posed by the consumption of illicit drugs to communities require a multi-disciplinary approach to solving them.
He called on the management of schools to encourage their students join drug-free clubs as a way of sensitising school community on the danger of illicit drug use.