February 11, (THEWILL) – The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), has prescribed effective treatment and rehabilitation, as the preferred solution to substance abuse in the country.
The Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of NDLEA, Brig.-Gen. Mohammed Marwa (rtd), handed down the prescription during the inauguration of a drug rehabilitation centre in Uyo, Akwa Ibom state capital on Friday.
Marwa, who was represented at the event by the former military administrator of Akwa Ibom, Col. Yakubu Bako (rtd), said those who were already addicted must be treated and be reintegrated into their families to contribute positively to the growth of the society.
“Treatment and rehabilitation are part of the panacea to the substance abuse problem bedevilling contemporary society.
“We can arrest a thousand and one traffickers every month, but substance war will be in vain if we fail to apply professionalism in treatment and rehabilitation.
“For any country to make any headway in reducing Drug abuse to the barest minimum, there must be a remarkable impact in drug demand reduction”, Marwa said.
He disclosed that the country has only 24 government-run rehabilitation centres in the country and commended Mrs Martha Emmanuel, wife of Akwa Ibom Governor, Mr Udom Emmanuel, for donating the centre to NDLEA.
Earlier in her remarks, NDLEA State Commander, Mrs Obot Bassey, said that the Command, in 2022, carried out sensitisation activities in 77 locations in the state to create awareness of the dangers of drug abuse.
Bassey said the rehabilitation centre was donated by the governor’s wife through her pet project, Family Empowerment and Youth Re-orientation Initiative (FEYReP) for the treatment and rehabilitation of drug addicts in the state.
She said in 2022, the command counselled 265 people who used drugs, rehabilitated 12 with substance use disorder, seized 460.344kg of assorted drugs and arrested 348 suspects and secured 58 convictions in the state.
She commended the Akwa Ibom Governor’s wife, who is an ambassador of the War Against Drug Abuse (WADA) for her contribution to the success of drug reduction in the state.
In her remarks, Mrs Martha Emmanuel appealed to parents to nurture their children and wards to avoid involvement in substance abuse.
Emmanuel decried the rate of young people, especially school children, who had been involved in substance abuse.
“I want to appeal to parents, please if you are taking this substance, do not involve your children. Allow these young ones to grow and become better citizens of tomorrow. That’s what we want.
“And for our children, young boys in particular, this substance will do you no good, avoid these substances because of the consequences. Those who took it before you, could not go further in life.
“The substance will make you useless even to yourself in society, rapists, armed robbers, trouble makers, gamblers and other social vices are a result of drug abuse.
“By the grace of God, this centre has been put up to rehabilitate people that need help.
“If you know that you need help, come here and meet with the Commander, they will offer you that help. This centre will bring succour, will bring an end to illicit drug usage”, Emmanuel stated.
The Highlight of the event was the inauguration of the centre by Mrs Edith Okowa, wife of the Governor of Delta State, Dr Ifeanyi Okowa.
