Emmanuel Awari-Jalingo
The Taraba State Command of the National Drugs Law and Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) says it has seized Cannabis Sativa and psychotropic substance weighing 394.415kg from January to June 2021.
The Taraba State Commander of the (NDLEA) Suleiman Jadi, disclose this to newsmen in Jalingo the Taraba state capital to commemorate the day.
He said that the Command through the Federal High Court has secured a total of eight convictions and have one hundred and thirty five suspects in the state.
” The low figure of the convictions is due to the over three months industrial action by judicial workers, we are determined to secure more convictions with the resumption of court activities”
The NDLEA Commander also revealed that the Drug Demand Reduction Unit of the Command has successfully counseled drugs addicts and carried out anti drug abuse awareness campaign and enlightenment Programmes in schools, Market Places, Motor Parks and Hospitals in Taraba State.
He identified unemployment among young people as the driving force for drug abuse in the Country, noted that out of the over ten million Nigerians who abuse drugs, 80 percent of the population are youth from the age range of 19-45 who abuse drugs in the country.
” It is imperative now more than ever for the Command in Taraba State to have a standard rehabilitation center to enable the state benefit from the memorandum of understanding that is already in place between (NDLEA) and National Directorate of Employment(NDE) which enables rehabilitated drug dependant persons benefits and acquire skill/training from (NDE) free of charge, but currently Taraba State is not benefitting from the Programmes due to lack of rehabilitation facilities in the NDLEA Center in the State”
He urged the state government to provide an enabling office accommodation at the state headquarters to enable the command carries out necessary activities for drug education and rehabilitation in the state.
The theme for this year’s 2021 International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking is ” share Fact on drugs, Save Lives”.
Earlier, The Chairman of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Buba Marwa, in a News briefing in Abuja on Monday to mark the Day, opposed demands for the legalisation of cannabis in Nigeria.
The Chairman’s address which was read by the Taraba State Commander Suleiman Jadi, Marwa said the nation cannot afford to mortgage the lives of the citizens for financial gains by legalising cannabis.
The NDLEA Chairman also reiterated his suggestion to have politicians subjected to drug testing before they are allowed to contest for elective positions.
According to him, this has become necessary to ensure that only sane persons are allowed to lead the country in whatever capacity.
“Students and intending couples should also be subjected to drug tests.
The NDLEA Chairman said drug abuse was as well a hydra-headed monster that must be crushed for Nigeria to move forward as a nation.
He also said fighting war against drug abuse and trafficking in a country like Nigeria was a big problem, which the NDLEA could not do alone.
“The simplest contribution that we ask of every patriotic citizen is what is captured by the theme of this year’s International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Drug Trafficking: ‘Share Facts On Drugs, Save Lives.’
“We must avail ourselves of every opportunity to drive the message home to Nigerians about the importance of having a drug-free country.
“At the same time, it is equally important to make our message unmistakably clear to those involved in the trafficking of illicit substances, and also the cartels, barons and traffickers, that it is time for them to quit or face a tough consequence.”
The NDLEA boss, however, said since he took over the leadership of the agency, he had set a machinery in motion to reposition it.
“I am glad to report to you today that after five months, we are making a definite headway in repositioning the NDLEA for efficiency and effectiveness.
“We have succeeded in boosting the morale and confidence of officers and men of the NDLEA through practical steps taken to address welfare and career stagnation issues.
“To this end, we instituted, among other measures, a bi-monthly assessment and cash-backed award for best performing commands to motivate officers and men on the field,” said Marwa.
He explained that the agency recently promoted 3, 506 officers who had been stagnated in the past years, some for upward of 10, 15 and even 20 years on one rank.
“Major administrative steps were taken to restore the visibility of the agency for local and international partnerships. And in five months, we have made appreciable progress.
“So far, the image of the Agency has tremendously improved, so much so that today, people are now aware of the existence of the NDLEA unlike before,” he said.
Also in his remarks, the Country Representative, United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) Oliver Stolpe, called on individuals, communities and various organisations all over the world to join the global observance.
Stolpe said it was important to raise awareness of the major problem that illicit drugs represented for society, urging the public to share facts on drugs to help save lives.
“Do your part and combat misinformation by sharing the real facts on drugs – from health risks and solutions to tackle the world drug problem, to evidence-based prevention, treatment and care.
“Every year, UNODC issues the World Drug Report, full of key statistics and factual data obtained through official sources, a science-based approach and research.
“UNODC will continue to provide facts and practical solutions to address the current world drug problem, and remains committed to attaining a vision of health for all based on science.
“By working together, we can tackle the world drug problem,” he said.
Nasarawa Reporters 