Shun drug abuse – NDLEA advises Taraba youths
OKERAFOR ATHANATIUS, JALINGO.
The need for youths in Taraba State especially students of the Taraba State University (TSU) to shun drug abuse has been stressed.
The Taraba State Commander, National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Nanzing Daniel Sallah made the appeal while presenting a paper at the launching of War Against Drug Abuse (WADA) at the Taraba State University (TSU), Jalingo.
The paper titled, “Consequences of drug abuse and other social vices on Campus”, Commander Sallah in an introduction explained that the problem of drug trafficking and abuse of illicit drugs is a serious global concern because of its negative consequences.
Sallah said the problem of drug abuse affects both the offenders, usually those in the trade, and on the other hand, those for one reason or the other, uses drugs.
The affected individuals according to him are part of the society, the society at large is seriously confronted and challenged by the scourge of drug trafficking and drug abuse.
“Some of these problems are recorded to manifest themselves in the spheres of health, socio-economic, political and security dimensions of a nation”, he said.
NDLEA boss in the State further disclosed that the menace of drug abuse and trafficking cut across all ages, sex, race, religion, occupation and social strata.
“It is also not a respecter of boarders, thereby requiring a concerted and collaborative efforts by all nations of the world to fight against it”.
In response to the problem of drug abuse he noted, the Nigerian government in 1989 established the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) with the primary mandate to take necessary measures against the problems of illicit drug trafficking and abuse/use, while the United States of America (USA) vested these powers with the DEA and ATF agencies.
He said the agency adopts the measures of public education, enlightenment and rehabilitation of drug users and the arrest, investigation and prosecution of drug offenders.
He however, pointed out that the launching of War Against Drug Abuse (WADA) by the University in collaboration with the State Command of NDLEA, demonstrated the stakeholders’ collaboration and synergy that underscores the significance of the fight against drug abuse and other related social vices, not only in institutions of learning but the Country in general.
In a remark, the Vice Chancellor of Taraba State University, Prof. Sunday Paul lauded NDLEA for the initiative to sensitize the students on dangers of drug abuse and the need to shun every activities of the menace.
Paul Bako also pledged continuous collaboration with the State command of the Agency to ensure a drug-abuse free society not only in the campus but the outside world.
Speaking in an address of welcome earlier, the Director, Mr. Jeremiah Adamu expressed gratitude to the special guest of honour, Brigadier General Mohammed Buba Marwa (rtd), the chairman, chief executive officer, NDLEA, ably represented by Alh. Mohammed Idris Bello, the zonal commander in charge of zone ‘B’ (Adamawa,Gombe and Taraba).
He said, “the creation of the Directorate by the University management is a welcomed initiative especially these days that our university youths are dabbling into drug abuse which constitutes a great menace not only to our universities, the country at large”
“Drug abuse has become the most common thing these days and many youths are destroying their lives by getting addicted to drugs. It’s very important to sensitize our youths on the subject of drug abuse”,
“They are ruining the lives of our youth and putting their future in a great darkness. The use of drug is making their lives vulnerable and prone to destruction”.
“Therefore, it becomes very important to create awareness about it amongst our youths and prevent them from succumbing to it. Together,let us amplify our efforts to combat the global drug problem”, he said.
While thanking the Vice Chancellor of the University, Prof. Sunday Paul Bako and management of the University for establishing the Directorate for the prohibition of Narcotics and Drug abuse in the university, Adamu called on the audience to put their resources and heads together to ensure that the youths are drug free.
