NDLEA tasked with curtailing drug abuse in Keffi

United Youth Progressive Association, Keffi (UNIPAK), a community-based organisation, has urged the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) to curtail the rate of drug abuse in Keffi, Local Government in Nasarawa State.

The Association’s President, Malam Ahamad Jibrin, made the call during a Town Hall Meeting in Keffi, held on Monday to find a lasting solution to drug abuse in the area.

The event was organised by the association in collaboration with Keffi Development Foundation (KDF),

He also stressed the need for NDLEA to ensure constant surveillance and monitoring of pharmaceutical stores selling illegal drugs and fish out the hide-out of drug addicts in Keffi to punish perpetrators.

He advised Pharmacists Council of Nigeria (PCN), Keffi Emirate Council, Headmasters and Principals of secondary schools to support the NDLEA and other security agencies to rid the town out of drug abuse.

The youth leader also called on PCN to enhance effort in regulating and controlling the practice of Pharmacy, with a view to promoting standards in Keffi.

Jibrin expressed concern over increase rate of drug abuse among youths in the area, adding that development had also become a serious concern to parents and guardians.

He said the devastating effect of drug abuse in Keffi could not be overemphasised, adding the magnitude of the problem had undermined, cultural and religious values of some youths in Keffi.

The UNIPAK boss said that drug abuse had impacted negatively on the economy of Keffi and health status of youths who engaged in drug abuse.

According to him, highly educated youths who were supposed to engage in meaningful ventures had become liabilities and unproductive to the society as they were preoccupied with drug-related health challenges.

“The menace has spread tentacles to all social strata of life in the area as both highly in the placed, males and females, boys and girls, including housewives indulged in abuse drugs.

“This informs our decision to organise town hall meeting with Keffi stakeholders, to brainstorm and come up with workable solutions that will address the menace of drug abuse.

“We want to have a productive, economically viable and peaceful community with a high level of development, “ Jibrin said.

The Area Commander, NDLEA Keffi, Mr Mohammed Danwanzam, said logistic challenge was the major factor militating against smooth operation of the agency in Keffi.

Danwanzam, therefore, solicited the support of Keffi and state government’s to assist the command with an operational vehicle to discharge its duties effectively.

“Since my assumption in Keffi, I have been doing my best to address drug abuse in Keffi but lack of operational vehicle hinder my efforts.”

Dr Rabiu Tanko, Assistant Director, Pharmaceutical Services, Federal Medical Centre, Keffi, advocated strict reinforcement of pharmacy laws and regular inspection of pharmacies to ensure that all medications were properly dispensed.

Tanko said people who abused drugs had a higher risk of health risks live problem, involving in auto accidents and domestic violence among others.

He stressed the need for NDLEA, World Health Organisation (WHO) and other government agencies to establish drug rehabilitation centres in Keffi to rehabilitate drug addicts.