NDLEA, other stakeholders spread advocacy to Enugu, Ebonyi
From MAGNUS EZE
The war against drug abuse and illicit trafficking got a boost recently in the South East states of Enugu and Ebonyi as the world marked this year’s United Nations Day against drug abuse and trafficking in illegal substances.
Aware of the harmful consequences of the act on the society, especially the youth, Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi of Enugu State has vowed to work closely with the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) in fighting the scourge.
Usually marked on June 26, the theme of this year’s celebrations was “Listen First”, aimed at mobilising parents, guardians and indeed the society to always give listening ears to the children and youth.
It was, indeed, a call to parents to pay attention to their children.
In Enugu, the State Command of the NDLEA true to this year’s theme embarked on what could be called anti-drug evangelism; the out-reach programme led by the Commander, Mr Anthony Ohanyere started at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN) for the Enugu North zone on June 24.
The train moved to Awgu in Enugu West Senatorial District before climaxing in the Coal City on June 25.
The road show of sort which was flagged off at the Okpara Square, Independence Layout by the Speaker of the Enugu State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Edward Ubosi, terminated at the Peace Mass Transit Park opposite the Enugu North Local Government Council Secretariat.
Aside a thanksgiving service at St’ Mulumba Catholic Church, New Heaven on Sunday, the anti-drug day proper was marked on June 27.
The presence of the state governor did not only add colour to the event, but also showed the premium the government placed on the fight against drug abuse.
Ugwuanyi promised that the state government would identify with NDLEA as the consumption of narcotic drugs and other hard substances had transformed into a major threat in the world.
He described the menace of drug trafficking and abuse as a ‘social problem’ that had resulted into criminality and conflict.
“The problem we find ourselves today was as a result of drug trafficking and it is common among our youths. Children and youths are the leaders of tomorrow whose growth are important tools for nation building.
“Adequate measure should be put in place to tackle the problem through public enlightenment on the danger of drug trafficking and abuse,’’ he said.
The governor called for the collaboration of traditional rulers, the mass media, churches and mosques in the fight against the intake of narcotics and other related hard drugs, pointing out that they damage the future of youths.
This year’s celebration was no less grand in the neighbouring Ebonyi State as government agencies, policy makers, civil society organisations; Non-governmental organisations, faith-based groups, as well as teachers and students were fully mobilised.
The Ebonyi State Commander of NDLEA, Mr Ralph Igwenagu had led a sensitisation campaign to the Annunciation Secondary School, Kpirikpiri, in the state capital; where students were enlightened on the dangers of drug abuse.
Speaking at the ceremony at the Ntezi office of the command, Igwenagu disclosed that the agency has this year arrested 71 drug suspects and secured the conviction of 27, which he said comprised 65 males and six females.
The state commander, who stated that 188Kgs of drugs were also seized by the agency, disclosed that 27 drug users were counseled and discharged in the last six months while three addicts were still undergoing rehabilitation.
Igwenagu urged parents and guardians in line with the theme of this year’s celebrations, to always give listening ear to their “children to help them grow healthy and safe and protect them from negative external influences.”
He thanked the military, police and other law enforcement agencies in the state for their tremendous support and assistance, as well as the public for providing useful information on suspected drug dealers.
The NDLEA boss also used the opportunity of the interactive session to dispel the erroneous impression that the agency succumbs to gratification leading to the frequent release of arrested vendors of hard drugs, especially marijuana.
He explained: “We are in a constitutional democracy and not military, so we don’t incarcerate suspects. When we nab these people; aware that it’s not a capital offence, we take them to court within say 48 hours. So, it’s the court that decides what to do with them according to the law. The court can grant them bail but that’s not the end of justice. It might take time because the law grinds slowly but we will continue to do our best”.
Also speaking, the Director of Pharmaceutical Services, Ebonyi State, Mr Victor Chukwu and State Coordinator of National Agency for Foods, Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), Mr Richard Anichukwu, assured of their continued collaboration in the fight against drug abuse and illicit trafficking.
Chukwu promised to work out modalities with the NDLEA to ensure that a didactic drama presented at the event is taken round schools across the state to enlighten the students.
The State Coordinator of NAFDAC, Anichukwu noted that the NAFDAC Club in schools and the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) version would be reinvigorated to carry on the campaign against abuse of drugs and illicit substances.
In his goodwill message, the Founder/Promoter of Mezie Okposi Initiative, a community-based ethical revival project in Ohaozara Local Government Area, Nze Magnus Eze, enjoined adults, especially parents to be good role models.
Eze reasoned that a strong bond between parents and children was based on listening to them and showing care, stressing that spending even a small amount of time each day giving the child complete attention could really help.
Citing a recent UN research, the Mezie Okposi promoter admonished parents to always “Ask your child what you need to know: where he/she will be, for how long, with whom and doing what.
“When parents monitor their adolescents closely and have good knowledge about their whereabouts, adolescents are 20 per cent less likely to use marijuana.”
He noted that there must be something good in a child, however small, saying “Praise your child for at least one thing he/she is doing right.”