Drug Control Advocates have called for the strengthening of campaign structures in order to effectively tackle the challenge of drug abuse in Delta state beyond the Okowa administration.
The made the call at a one-day workshop in Asaba to review the campaign against drug abuse and illicit trafficking in the 25 Local Government Areas of the state.
In her opening remark, the Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Social Works, Hon (Mrs) Pally Eghove, who packaged the workshop, recalled the efforts of the Okowa administration, in partnership with the NDLEA, the police, Local Government Councils, and Civil Society Organisations, at tackling the menace of drug abuse
Eghove said the campaign was aimed at reducing drug abuse demand by sensitizing and educating the public on the inherent danger of drug abuse, pointing out that drug control vanguards were engaged to champion the crusade across the state.
“These drug control vanguards are crucial to drug supply control and drug demand reduction because they can help the authorities with vital information.
“It is known that if these drug-dependent people are abandoned today, they will become everybody’s nightmare tomorrow. Therefore, there is the need to sustain these structures created the drug control vanguards for the peace, security and development of Delta State”, the SSA said.
In his contribution, the State Commander of the NDLEA, Barr Tunde John, represented by the Deputy State Commander, St-Chris Owoeye, stressed the need for all hands to be on deck in the fight against drug abuse.
While commending the state government, through Hon Eghove, for its commitment to the fight against drug abuse in Delta, the NDLEA helmsman cautioned the youths to be wary of drug barons and their deceitful antics, stressing that the anyone caught in the act would face the wrath of the law.
Speaking in the same vein, the chairperson of the Delta State Drug Control Committee (DSDCC), Pharm (Mrs.) Helen Orie, represented by Fynecountry Goodluck, re-echoed the call for the sustainability of existing structures in the fight against drug abuse in the state.
“The fight against drug abuse should be sustained;; it must continue with the next administration. Therefore, we must encourage the drug control vanguards in this campaign”, Orie said.
Corroborating earlier speakers, the Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on International Affairs, Dr. Genevieve Mordi, highlighted the connection between drug abuse and illegal migrations and the adverse effects on drug addicts.
Some drug control vanguards who spoke at the event, including the coordinator for Ika South LGA, Comrade Friday Odabi, proposed more government support through funding for the advocates to discharge their duties effectively.
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