June 26, (THEWILL) – NDLEA, Bayelsa state command, has reiterated its resolve to wage and intensify its war against drug abuse, the state Commander, Barr. Matthew Ewah, stated this while briefing the media in Yenagoa.
He said the theme of this year’s celebration, “PEOPLE FIRST: Stop Stigma and Discrimination, Strengthen Prevention”, was apt and timely.
According to him, the United Nation decided to observe June 26th every year as the International day against drug abuse and Illicit trafficking, to demonstrate its determination and resolve to strengthen action and cooperation aimed at achieving a safer, drug free world, adding that the larger aim is to get individuals, communities and government at all levels and organisations, including the media, all over the world, to mark the observance with a view to raising the awareness of the problem that illicit drug represent to the society .
He said the aim of the theme June 26, 2023, according to United Nations day is to raise awareness on the importance of treating people who use drug with respect, treating drug users with empathy, encourage the provision of evidence-based voluntary service for all, offering alternative to punishment, prioritising prevention and leading with compassion.
“When all or parts of the above is practiced, stigma and discrimination is avoided, leading to promotion of language and attitude that are respectful and non-judgemental of the drug user and substance abusers.”
He said the occasion of the celebration of June 26 provides the opportunity for lead agencies to educate the public on the issue of drug use, drug abuse and drug misuse, with a view to mobilising and galvanising political will and resources to address the drug scourge.
On achievements of the NDLEA in Bayelsa, he said from July 2022 to date, it has made some arrests and seizures.
He also gave the summary of anti-drug abuse activities to include drug abuse prevention programmes in schools, communities, market places and NYSC orientation camps.
Also speaking, the chairperson of the Bayelsa Drug prevention and Rehabilitation Committee (BADAPARC), Pharm/Dr Faith Zibo-Godwin Izibenua, said the body set up by Governor Douye Diri in 2021 was mandated to curb drug abuse menace, by sensitisation of the youth against drug abuse and it has been collaborating with the United Nations office on drug and crime and presidential Amnesty Programme. She disclosed that the body had also extended it’s functions to secondary schools and traditional rulers for effective war against illicit drug abuse in the state.
“We are in collaboration with NDLEA, we have trained school 90 counsellors with patrons and matrons in private and public schools, as well as 124 teachers on basic life skill on drug abuse and we have also taken the battle to the Grassroot by involving the traditional rulers to fight the drug menace”, she said.
She also disclosed that the state government is currently building a permanent rehabilitation centre at Ogbia, which will soon be commissioned, as well as a temporary 35-bed space in collaboration with the NDLEA, all of these are parts of the policies to curb the menace.
