… Begins Campaigns  against stigmatisation of drug addicts***

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Enugu State Command, has arrested 122 illicit drug dealers between June 2022 and June 2023, the Acting State Commander, Mr Peter Ogar, has said.

Ogar said this while briefing newsmen as part of activities to mark the 2023 United Nations International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking, on Thursday in Enugu.

The event, with the theme ‘People First: Stop Stigma and Discrimination, Strengthen Discrimination’,  is marked on June 26 every year to strengthen action and cooperation in achieving a world free of drug abuse.

Ogar said that out of the 122 suspects, 199 were males while three were females, adding that a total of 1843.5802 kilogrammes of different illicit drugs were seized from the suspects within the period.

He said that the drugs seized included 1773.62kg of Cannabis Sativa; Methamphetamine, 1.048kg; Cocaine, 22.17 grams, and other psychotropic substances, 62.89Kg.

The commander added that they also prosecuted 54 drug suspects and successfully treated 45 victims of substance abuse disorder.

Ogar further said that within the period, the command carried out the public destruction of various illicit drugs totaling 23,721794kg.

On world drug day, the commander said, “It is a day of utmost importance to the global community in the continuous effort to ameliorate the consequences of abuse of illicit substances and make our world a safe place.

Some of the seized drugs***

“The theme is uniquely historic because it realizes the importance of taking a people-oriented approach to drug policies, with a focus on human rights and evidence-based practices, prioritizing prevention, and leading with compassion.

“This underscores the need for our deep empathy, help, support, care, and understanding towards people with substance use disorders in society.”

He also said that the command was strengthening collaborations with other relevant stakeholders like the media, and the International Society of Substance Abuse Prevention professionals, to fight drug abuse and illicit trafficking.

Ogar acknowledged the immense contributions of the state government, NDLEA Chairman, Brig.-Gen. Buba Marwa (rtd), religious leaders, traditional rulers, and other non-state actors to the menace of drug trafficking and abuse in the state and Nigeria in general.

“I also want to let you know that the Agency is pursuing drug supply reduction with drug demand reduction, which has to do with the prevention, treatment, and rehabilitation of drug users.

“The agency will not rest on its oars, but will continue to exploit all avenues within the ambit of the law to rid the entire state and country of the menace of hard drugs,” he said.

He, however, listed inadequate facilities and logistics such as operational vehicles, standard rehabilitation centre, recreational facilities for clients, and funding, as some of the command’s major challenges.

In the meantime, the NDLEA seized a total of 999.33 kilograms of drugs between June 2022 and June 2023, in Jigawa.

The Jigawa state Commandant of the Agency, Mr. Mu’azu Aliyu, made this known on Thursday at a Press conference to commemorate World Drug Day 2023.

He said that the command also arrested a total of 422 suspected drug traffickers comprised of 409 males and 13 females within the period.

Aliyu further said that the command secured 94 convictions and counseled 186 drug addicts.

The commandant said that while 15 persons were rehabilitated,  four were still undergoing rehabilitation at the command’s rehabilitation centre.

“The command in the past year embarked on War Against Drug Abuse Campaigns at motor parks, secondary and tertiary institutions across the state as part of preventive measures,” he said.

The commandant decried attacks on its personnel in the state by drug traffickers and warned that the agency would no longer watch in silence as its officers are killed or maimed.

The Maritime First learnt that June 19 to June 26 has been annually set aside by the United Nations to commemorate  World Drug Day to create awareness of drug abuse and illicit trafficking. 

However, In commemoration of World Drug Day, the NDLEA has begun in Jigawa, a campaign against the stigmatisation of drug addicts, in a bid to help the process of rehabilitating them.

The State Commandant of the agency, Alhaji Mu’azu Aliyu, said this on Thursday at a news briefing in Dutse to commemorate this year’s World Drugs Day.

Aliyu said that everyone has a role to play in the rescue and rehabilitation of drug addicts in the country.

He said that the Jigawa command had been actively engaging communities and conducting campaigns against the stigmatisation of drug victims.

He solicited the support of community heads, religious leaders and traditional rulers in educating their subjects to avoid stigmatising victims by tagging them with funny names.

“Our command has been actively engaged in working with other security agencies to combat drug trafficking and addiction in the state.

“We commend the State Government for supporting us in that dimension, by setting up a strong and active committee that helps to check the menace,” Aliyu said.

He said that the 2023 celebration aimed at empowering young people and communities to prevent drug addiction.

He further said that it was also aimed at raising awareness about the negative impact of stigma and discrimination on drug addicts and their families.

He further said that the global event was also meant to raise awareness of HIV/AIDS and hepatitis epidemic amongst people who use drugs.