By Ikenna Nwokedi
The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has stated that its command in Anambra State had within a period of one year between June 2023 to June 2024 seized over 2.8557 tons of illicit drugs including cannabis and other dangerous substances while a total of 360 suspects were arrested with 197 prosecuted and 258 persons counselled and rehabilitated.
This disclosure was made by the State Commander of the NDLEA, Anambra State, Onyeishi Daniel Ogbonna during the 2024 United Nation’s Day Against Drug Abuse and launching of UNIZIK Drug Policy held at the University Auditorium of Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka with the theme: “The Evidence is Clear: Invest in Prevention.”
Delivering one of the Commemoration Lectures on the topic, “United Nations Day Commemoration”, the Head, Department of Psychology, UNIZIK, Prof. Anthony Nebedum affirmed that substance abuse pose significant challenges globally with its consequences facing reaching encompassing health issues and increasing economic burden. He disclosed that a UN report of last year revealed that 275 million people worldwide are engaged in drug abuse while 39.5 million people are now having mental disorder for using drugs.
The scholar also suggested that a strong policy on regulating alcohol usage in Nigeria should be in place as record shows that 12.3 million litres of alcohol was consumed in 2016 by Nigerians of age of bracket of 15 years and above which is higher than the global world rating of the same year. He suggested subsidized health care for people who are being treated and rehabilitated owing to drug use disorder and sensitization programs aimed at curbing or stoppage of drug abuse completely by the youths.
On his part, Mr Ameh Inalegwu, a former assistant state commander of the NDLEA, posited that the evidence is clear that a great danger threatens humanity if the issues relating to drug abuse is not discussed. Inalegwu disclosed that the UN projection for 2030 about Nigeria is that drug usage will accelerate to 40 percent increase, he suggested that the fight against drug abuse should not be left alone for the government but communities should do the needful by developing communal law that will punish offender of drug peddling and abuse.
Highpoints of the occasion was the launching of the UNIZIK drug policy, awards to individuals who have sustained the fight against drug abuse and reward of the secondary schools and undergraduate students’ heroics in the quiz competitions.
