The Commander of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, (NDLEA), Lagos State Command, Alhaji Aliyu Sule, has enjoined parents to monitor their children to ensure that they don’t abuse drugs, take hard drugs or engage in illicit trafficking of drugs.
The NDLEA boss was speaking when he led school children and other stakeholders on a sensitization road – walk campaign against drug abuse and illicit trafficking of drugs from Agric bus stop to Ayangburen Palace in Ikorodu on Wednesday June 21, 2017, to celebrate, ‘International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking.’
According to Alhaji Sule, the main aim of the road-walk was to create more awareness on the dangers of substance abuse. He stated that many people die on daily basis while others are referred to psychiatric hospitals as a result of this. He cautioned that, “If you abuse drug, drug will abuse you.”
The NDLEA Boss urged parents to save lives from illicit drugs by monitoring and preventing their children from becoming addicted to drugs. Giving statistics, he disclosed that over sixteen thousand tons of drugs were seized in 2016 in Lagos; four hundred and sixty (460) suspects were arrested while two hundred cases (200) of drug abuse are still in court. Commander Aliyu Sule also condemned drug trafficking, which he said kills the economy since illicit money made from this act could not be accounted for in the GDP. He further advised that if Nigerians want sanity and peace to be restored in the country, the issue of drugs must be dealt with first.
According to Folashade Ahmed, who represented the Director of Pharmaceutical Services, Lagos State Drug Abuse Committee, the program was being held to ensure that Lagos State was free of drug abuse and other social vices. She stated that NDLEA, in collaboration with Lagos State Drug Abuse Control Committee, organized a seven day program to commemorate the 2017 ‘International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking.’ She explained further that aside the seven day program, the committee have gone to different schools to hold seminars and conduct debates with the help of the Ministry of Education to sensitize the youth about the consequences of drug abuse.
The Alabukun Group also thanked NDLEA, Lagos Area, for giving them the opportunity to collaborate with them on the program, disclosing that Alabukun was the only product that was established, marketed and distributed by a Nigerian.
The Ayangburen of Ikorodu, HRM, Oba Kabir Adewale Shotobi, also commended the efforts of NDLEA, noting that the wrong use of hard drugs among the youth should be addressed quickly because failure to do so would portend danger for everyone. In his words, “We must ensure that the youth live responsible lives as they are the future leaders of our great country.” He promised to partner with the Agency in order to give them substantial information to work on.
Other stakeholders at the awareness campaign were officials of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC); Nigeria Civil Defence Corps (NCDC); Road Transport Employers Association of Nigeria (RTEAN); Lagos State Ministry of Information and Strategy; Army Officers from the 174 Battalion, Odogunyan Barracks; Police Officers; National Youth Service Corps (NYSC); Traditional Chiefs, among others.
Also, during the United Nations International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking, which grand finale was held on July 3, 2017 at the King’s court event Centre, Ikorodu, NDLEA canvassed against the use of harmful drugs, drug abuse and drug trafficking in the state. While speaking at the event tagged: “Listen First,” NDLEA Commander, Alhaji Sule Aliyu, said the day was set aside by the United Nations to allow stakeholders all over the world to gather in their various countries to discuss about drug menace. He said the day afforded stakeholders the opportunity to measure their achievements and challenges in order to chart the way forward in the fight against drug abuse and illicit trafficking in their respective countries.
Alhaji Aliyu noted that the program would afford stakeholders time to interact with the general public and sensitize them on the effect of drug abuse, use of harmful drugs and trafficking. Speaking about the theme of the program, he said that without listening to a person that has a problem, accurate solution cannot be proffered. He enjoined parents to listen to their children first and understand their problem before thinking about solution. In his view, parents’ refusal to listen to their children won’t afford them the opportunity to know their problems.
Dr. Yinka Jibuno, one of the guest speakers, explained that the essence of the theme, “Listen First” was to concentrate on those indulging in the use of harmful drugs, drug abuse and trafficking. She said that overtime, the focus has been on the supply of drugs and not on the demand. She explained that this necessitated the shift in this year’s focus. She appealed to parents to spend more time with their children to afford them the opportunity to understand their temperament and guide their mental health.
Dignitaries present at the event were, ACP, representing the State Commissioner of Police ; Pharm. Adeniike Obileye, representing Lagos State Drug Abuse Control Committee Chairman, Chief Jayesimi Baale of Maya, representing Oba Shotobi; Lt. Col. S.O Fagbemi representing Brigade Commander; Mr. Bernard Obiaguru, Chairman NAPPMED, Ikorodu division.