The Governors of Plateau and Nassarawa States on Wednesday decried the
increased in the rate of substance abuse among youths in the country,
saying despite Governments and other stakeholders’ efforts targeted at
reversing the trend, it continues.
Simon Lalong and Tanko Al-makura who addressed participants
at the biannual Command Officers’ conference of the National Drug Law
Enforcement Agency, NDLEA observed that youths on daily basis are being
arrested for drug related offences.
The duo called on the Agency not to relent but intensify efforts at curbing the menace.
According to Al-makura who was represented by his Commissioner for
Information, Culture and Tourism, Kwarra, “Nassarawa State is one of the
top three States in Nigeria with problems of substance abuse.
“This shows that there is a market for drug use in the State and my
government in collaboration with NDLEA is going to double efforts at
combating this menace.”
Also, Governor Lalong who was represented by his Deputy, Professor
Sonni Tyoden added that the theme of the conference, “Developing the
Agency’s Strategies for Effective Implementation of Government Drug Law
Policy” was apt as there was need for the Agency’s top officers to
brainstorm on ways to improve on the mandate of drug reduction, drug
supply and control.
“We are witnesses to the negative health and socio-economic
implications of illicit drug supply and consumption in our communities,
as you rethink your strategies, it is my expectations that you will
bring your experiences of the dynamic nature of illicit drug consumption
and trafficking to bear in resolving this age long menace.”
Earlier in his welcome remarks, the Chairman/Chief Executive,
National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, Col. Muhammad Abdalla
explained that the three days conference will take on issues more
holistically, intensively and extensively because “no matter how vibrant
the drug law policy may, if there are no corresponding clearly defined
strategies for implementation, the policy will be sterile.”