Mr Bamidele Amos, the Commander, National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) in Zamfara, on Monday, expressed concern over the increasing level of drug abuse among youths in the state.
Amos was speaking at an event organized by the state command of the agency to mark the 2023 World Drug Day held in Gusau, the state capital.
This year’s event has as its theme; “People First: Stop Stigma and Discrimination”.
Amos decried the rate at which drug was being abused in the state, saying “we will therefore not allow it to continue.
“As stakeholders, we must join hands to work against the evil act.
“As at 2021, the United Nation’s Office on Drugs and Crime reported that Nigeria has 14.3 million people between the ages of 15 and 64 abusing drugs.
“I believe as of now in 2023, if we take another statistics, it will be higher than it was in 2021.
“Nigeria as a nation cannot allow things to continue that way,” he said.
The commander listed consequences of drug abuse among youths to include cultism, anti-social behaviors, mental health challenges, crime and criminal activities among others.
“We need to sensitize people, we need to do advocacy to engage all stakeholders to educate the general public about drug abuse so that we cut down on the rate and its consequences in the society,” he said.
According to him, the agency is ready to partner with all stakeholders in a war against drug abuse, adding “we are trying to maintain a balanced approach to drug war.”
Also speaking, Mr Sani Halliru,
the State President of the National Association of Patent and Practitioners Medicines (NAPPMED), said drug abuse is inimical to societal growth and development, as drug abusers become mentally and medically handicapped.
Halliru assured that the association would continue to maintain its position as partners with NDLEA and all relevant stakeholders in ensuring drug abuse-free society.
The representative of Yariman Bakura Specialist Hospital, Gusau, Dr Kamal Isah, advised against self medication among members of the public.
Isah noted that taking drugs without a doctor’s prescription was harmful to one’s health.
Among dignitaries who attended the event were officials from NAPPMED, health workers, security agencies, NGOs, CSOs and the media.
