By Princess-Ekwi Ajide
The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, Anambra State Command, says it has in the past 6 months, arrested 136 suspects, seized 883.347 kilograms of illicit drugs, convicted 79 Drug traffickers and rehabilitated 25 clients as well as carried out WADA enlightenment programmes in higher institutions, secondary schools, and churches.
The state Commander, Mr. Onyishi Daniel Ogbonna, who revealed this during the 2023 celebration of the United Nations International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking, in Awka, disclosed the command equally engaged youth leaders of all the 21 local government areas in the state on sensitization.
According to him, these achievements were made possible by the morale boost of officers by the Brigadier General Buba Marwa (Rtd) led administration of the NDLEA and the unrelenting efforts of the present Anambra State government led by Professor Chukwuma Soludo, in the provision of logistics.
He said the ultimate goal of the International day celebration is to strengthen action and cooperation towards a world free from Drug trafficking and abuse as they threaten humanity.
Mr. Ogbonna, expressed worries that stigma and discrimination against drug users and their families have adversely affected treatment and rehabilitation efforts as it has denied them access to needed help out of shame.
The NDLEA Commander, enjoined governments and stakeholders to take a people centred approach to Drug policies with a focus on compassion and evidence based practices while charging partners in tackling drug challenges to raise awareness about the importance of treating drug users with respect and empathy by promoting civil language and non judgemental actions.
According to him, the challenge of stigmatisation and discrimination is highest in the communities as most times, they are judgemental, that drug use is a moral failure on the part of the individual and his family
He advocated that prevention be strengthened by by ensuring that young people do not encounter drugs early in life or ensure that the option of treatment is explored if the need arises adding that Anambra State NDLEA sees non availability of drugs and youth sensitisation as the best forms of drug prevention.