DELTA DRUG CONTROL COMMITTEE TAKES ‘NO TO DRUG ABUSE’ CAMPAIGN TO THE STREETS

As part of activities to mark the 2024 International Day Against Drug Abuse, the Delta State Drug Control Committee today organized a road walk in Asaba, the state capital, to sensitize the public on the dangers of drug abuse 

Members of the Committee, drawn from the State Ministries of Health, Education and Justice, as well as representatives of the National Drug law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), the Police, NSCDC, FRSC, and the Correctional Centre, converged on the Oshimili South Arcade, from where they walked through Nnebisi road to the Stephen Keshi Stadium, defying the rains.

The message was “Say No To Drug Abuse”, because the evidence of its devastating effects on the individual involved, the family setting and the society is clear.

The Chairperson of the Committee and Director, Pharmaceutical Services, Delta State Ministry of Health, Mrs Helen Orie, who led the road walk, said drug abuse was on the increase and needed to be curbed before it got worse.

Mrs Orie, a Pharmacist, revealed that the fight against drug abuse was in two dimensions; supply reduction, being championed at the federal level and demand reduction being handled by the Drug Control Committee at the state level 

She said the Committee, with the support of the state government, had recorded some successes in the prevention and control of drug abuse, pointing out that sensitization campaigns had been taken to public places, including places of worship, markets, schools and communities, with significant impacts.

Mrs Orie added that the road walk was meant to further create awareness on the need for a drug-free society and commended the State Governor, Rt. Hon Sheriff Oborevwori, for his support for the campaign against drug abuse in the state.

Also speaking, the Assistant State Commander, Drug Demand Reduction, NDLEA, Delta State Command, Silas Omobude, who is also the State Secretary of the Drug Control Committee, disclosed that 14.4 million Nigerians, aged between 18 and 29, were involved in drug abuse and trafficking.

He said fighting the drug war was a Herculean task which required the collective effort of all critical stakeholders, noting that the Delta State Government had reasonably supported the State Drug Control Committee to record some breakthroughs.

For his part, the Chairman, Actors Guild of Nigeria, Delta State chapter, Mr Emmanuel Onyemeziem, debunked insinuations that the Nigerian movie industry had contributed to societal ills, including drug abuse, saying that in every movie that portrayed evil, there was always a consequence and moral lessons to learn 

Mr Onyemeziem said the Guild was in partnership with the NDLEA and the Delta State Government in the war against drug abuse, urging the youths to say no to drug abuse and embrace meaningful ventures.