Abia First Lady calls for preventive approach to the challenge of drug abuse
The wife of the Governor of Abia State, Mrs. Priscilla Otti, has called for preventive approaches to be adopted in combating the challenge of drug abuse and addiction, especially among vulnerable youths.
Mrs Otti made this call while speaking at an event commemorating the 2024 United Nations Day against Illicit Trafficking and Drug Abuse, organized by the NDLEA to raise awareness about the dangers of drug abuse on Wednesday.
The first lady represented by the wife of the deputy governor, Mrs Adaeze Emetu, described this year’s theme, “The Evidence is Clear: Invest in Prevention,” as timely and appreciated the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), and other security agencies for synergising with the Abia state to combat illicit drugs and substance abuse in the society.
In her words, “The Abia State government recently acquired a new office for the NDLEA here in Umuahia. I am also aware that Governor Alex Otti has offered to support the agency to equip and properly manage its rehabilitation center for addicts and other victims of drug abuse in the state.”
“This is in line with the state government’s agenda to develop a comprehensive mechanism for dealing with the crisis of drug abuse, particularly among vulnerable young people.”
“My office is currently coordinating multiple initiatives to promote social consciousness about the dangers of drug abuse in various communities.”
“We are also working with community stakeholders, particularly women leaders, to enlighten our youth on how their future and dreams could be ruined if they fail to guard themselves against certain exposures that could lead to physiological harm, prison time, or death.”
Earlier in his remarks, the state commander of the NDLEA, Mr. Amos Adelanwa Adetunji, said that drug abuse has become a global menace that needs urgent and quick response.
Adelanwa called on patent medicine dealers to desist from selling psychoactive narcotic drugs to youths and appealed to stakeholders to support them by providing operational vehicles and other logistics needed to eradicate illicit drugs and substance abuse from society.
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