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NEWS EXTRA

NDLEA MARKS UN DAY AGAINST DRUG ABUSE, ILLICIT DRUG TRAFFICKING 2022

BY LEO EZEKIEL

Speaking as the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, Brig. General Mohammed Buba Marwa (RTD) OFR, the commander of National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA of Lagos State Command Barr Callys Alumona at LTV Events Center, Agingbidi, Ikeja, Lagos states that he is pleasantly and uncommonly gladdened to welcome all and sundry to the marking of the 2022 United Nations Day Against Drug Abuse and Trafficking of Illicit Drugs adding that it is a day of heavy importance to the global community in the continuous efforts to reduce the consequences of abuse of illicit substance and make the globe a safer and livable place as he also added that the theme is “Addressing Drug Challenges in Health and Humanitarian Crises”. 

Speaking further to the gathering Barr Alumona states that the drug abuse health challenges did come to the fore in 2021 as the whole globe was recovering from the Covid 19 pandemic which was the crux of the world drug report 2021 which noted that “Drug use killed almost half a million persons in 2019, which drug use disorders did result in 18 million years of healthy life lost, mostly due to opioids adding that serious and often lethal illness are more common among drugs as he also added that many of them are living with HIV and Hepatitis “C”. 

Speaking further to the audience Barr. Alumona states that the concerns did raise by the World Drug Report 2021 were not far-fetched because in Nigeria similar patterns from the findings of the National Drug Use and Health Survey 2018 adding that the survey did record an estimated 376,000 high-risk drug users in the republic of which one in every 5 injects drugs as he also added that 80,000 Persons Who inject Drugs (PWD) the risk of the spread of HIV, Hepatitis C and other blood-borne diseases war high and thus in turn raises the stake of a public health crises. Barr. Alumona states that the National Drug Use Survey afforded the republic the baseline information needed for the design and implementation of effective prevention, treatment and care services capable of reducing the demand for drugs and also prevent the morbidity and mortality attributable to drug use adding that “Two-thirds of high risk drug users reported a self perceived need for drug treatment as he also added that around 40% of those reported that they had wanted to receive drug treatment, but, were unable to access such services. 

Speaking further to electic gathering Barr. Alumona states that UN Day 2022 theme has provided the impetus to break down those barriers and pave way for the unencumbered treatment of health concerns related to drug use adding that at NDLEA, they have a sense of urgency in tackling the health consequences of the abuse of illicit drugs as he also added that they not only acknowledge the importance of improved access to treatment care and rehabilitation, and as well as they have integrated into their activities as part of the radical reforms in the Agency since January 2021. 

He states that they have systematically approached the new order, first by fostering a reorientation of their workforce adding that in the past months, the agency has been involved in a series of training, including on Drug Prevention, Treatment and Care (DPTC) for their Officers to refocus from the criminalization of drug users to provide the full gamut of health services for them as he also added that since the realignment they have made good strides in their drug demand reduction activities. 

He states that this year alone, they have counseled and rehabilitated 3, 523 drug users mostly through brief interventions in their facilities adding that building treatment facilities is a good step, but, that it can be rendered inefficient because of the challenge of access that is inherent in a climate of stigmatization where some branded “a” drug addict” is treated as a Social Pariah. He stated that to scale the hurdle, they embarked on building a toll-free NDLEA CALL CENTRE adding that the project due to be commissioned on Thursday, 30^th June, 2022 which shall run as a 24/7 call centre with a helpline that can be called by drug users who need help, but, are afraid of stigmatization or do not know how to get help as they would be able to call toll-free and get to speak with pundits such as Counselors, Psychologists, Psychotherapists, Psychiatrists et’al.

Speaking further to the eclectic audience Barr. Alumona states that the call centre shall eliminate the hassles standing in the way of those that genuinely need help as they would be guaranteeing them the confidentiality they need, similarly the toll-free number 0800-10203040 and the website is ndleahelpline.com.ng which shall help the public to pass valuable information, report incidents and do kindly ask for help. 

He stated that PMB launched the War Against Drug Abuse (WADA) campaign at Abuja, exactly a year ago adding that the strategic importance of WADA cannot be overemphasized because it serves multiple purposes that aided the attainment of their objectives as he also added that they have been removing their foot soldiers from the street, last year alone 12, 306 offenders were arrested and 1,385 of them were goaled and again from January to May 2022, they arrested 5,341 out of which 984 are goaled already and again he states that during these five months they have seized 154,667,339 Kilograms of drugs and destroyed 276 hectares of cannabis farms in deep forests across the republic. In wrapping up his well researched presentations, Barr. Alumona states that they appreciate the major stake holders, the United Nations Office on Drug and Crime (UNODC), European Union (EU) both chambers of the National Assembly, Federal Ministry of Health, Ministry of Education, NAFDAC, NAPTIP, Ministry of Justice et’al. 

Speaking to the electic gathering the First Lady of Lagos State Dr. Mrs Ibijoke Sanwoolu who is heavily represented by the spouse of Chief Press Secretary to the Lagos State Governor Mr Babajide Olusola Sanwoolu Mr Gbenga Akosile, whom his spouse Mrs Taiwo Akosile who pleasantly presented the well researched submission on the theme of this year UN Day World Drug Day” “Addressing Drug Challenges in Health and Humanitarian Crises and she scholarly highlighted all the factors of Drugs Abuse and again she provided solutions on how this drug abuse and all that could be effectively controlled by all and sundry. 

Speaking to the gathering the guest lecturer the Commander NDLEA, Apapa, Command Ameh Inalegwu did not disappoint the uncommon crowds with his scholarly postulation of the topic Addressing Drug Challenges in Health and Humanitarian Crises whereby he highlighted the hassles the abusive drugs consumption trigger on the drugs users wrongly. He avers that the fight and control of drugs abuse should not be left in the hands of NDLEA operatives alone but, that all and sundry should pragmatically, efficiently, effectively and assiduously be involved in the fight and control of drugs abuse. He informed the audience that a 23 year old man wickedly and ungodly raped an 80 year great grandmother because he was under the influence of drugs which triggered him to commit the unthinkable offence. 

The students of First Baptist College, Awoyaya, Lekki, Lagos Olijo Ramota and Adesanya Zainab did present a thoroughly researched analysis of drugs abuse within the society whereby they goaded all and sundry to be involved in the fight and control of Drug Abuse. Miss Charles Wonders of AVCEL Academy, Awoyaya, Lekki, Lagos, she too did not disappoint the crowds with her cerebral submissions of which she raised lots of pointers to fight and the control of drugs abuse and illicit trafficking. 

Speaking with Iconblazemagazineonline, Alhaji Abdulahi Mustapha Chief Imam of Surulere and as well as Chairman, Council of Chief Imams and Alfars Surulere Zone, Lagos states that the marking of NDLEA UN DAY 2022 has actually come at the right time adding that the guest Lecturer and other speakers have really done well in the education of the audience as regards the theme “Addressing Drug Challenges in Health and Humanitarian Crises” adding that the students of First Baptist College, Awoyaya, Lekki and Aveel Academy did well with their presentations. 

Speaking with Iconblazemagazineonline, Senior Evangelist Remi Henshaw states that NDLEA celebration of UN World Day Drugs Abuse should be taken to schools, churches, mosques and local Government Areas where many youths are peopled and that the speakers have actually presented heavy expose on the theme “Addressing Drug Challenges in Health and Humanitarian Crises. Prince Ayodele Oyekan who did represent His Royal Majesty Oba Rilwan Akiolu, Oba of Lagos commended the efforts of NDLEA for the brilliant presentations from the speakers most especially the guest lecturer the Commander of NDLEA Apapa Command Inalegwu who practically informed the crowds the hassles of Abusive Drugs as he added that NDLEA team should bring their gamut to Lagos Island Government Area for more sensitization of the youths.

 

Speaking with Iconblazemagazineonline, Assistant Director, Seaport Operations Dr Fintan Bassey states that the fight and control of drugs abuse and illicit trafficking should not be left alone in the hands of NDLEA, but, rather all hands must be on deck to control the menace so that the treats it poses to national security, economy and politics could be curtained.