PACEDA, NDLEA Partner to Curb Drug Menace
There are indications that the problem of drug abuse in the country will soon abate. This followed the visit of the Presidential Advisory Committee for the Elimination of Drug Abuse, PACEDA to the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, Headquarters at No. 6, Port Harcourt Crescent, Off Gimbiya Street, Area 11, Garki-Abuja.
Chairman/Chief Executive, NDLEA, Col. Muhammad Mustapha Abdallah (rtd.) while receiving the Committee expressed optimism that the inauguration of the Committee has come at the right time and would go a long way to reinforce the efforts of NDLEA in bringing down the rising tide of drug abuse and illicit drug trafficking.
“There is no better time for the inauguration of this committee made up of eminent Nigerians and professionals. We hope very strongly that the committee will help the Agency to critically look into the gaps militating against optimal performance of the Agency and recommend appropriately for speedy intervention of the Federal Government”, NDLEA Chairman further stressed.
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General Muhammad Buba Marwa (rtd.), Chairman, PACEDA, commended the efforts of NDLEA and assured that the Committee would do everything within its powers to empower the Agency and other relevant stakeholders to address the drug abuse crisis. “I want to sincerely commend NDLEA on its efforts at curbing the menace of drug abuse. The purpose of this visit is to interact with the Agency and appreciate its roles and see if there are militating factors. We also want to find out if we can assist in bringing the militating factors to the attention of government. We need to see if there are other ways and means to get the job done”, he said.
Mrs. Dolapo Osinbajo, wife of the Vice-President and member of the Committee stressed the importance and urgency of the Committee. “We are all one step away from death, considering the threatening drug problem. It is just for drug dependent persons to pull the trigger because they often think they have nothing to lose. We need to collaborate to stop the looming disaster”.
The wife of the Vice President urged the Committee to deal with two areas of the drug problem. “We have the responsibility to help those who are already hooked to drugs. We also have the responsibility to ensure that those who are not yet hooked are prevented from ever experimenting with drugs. The Committee should look into the areas of those needs that push people into drugs, which are social and economic and come up with appropriate recommendations.
Jonah Achema, ACN
Principal Staff Officer, Public Affairs
