In commemoration of the United Nations Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking, the Delta State Command of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has moved to curtail the supply and demand of drugs in the state.
The State Commander, Mr Abubakar Wada, who said this in a press briefing in his office at Ogwashi-Uku in Aniocha South Local Government Area, said the Command has seized several kilograms and litres of illicit drugs in a bid to checkmate the supply and distribution of drugs.
The theme for this year, according to Mr Wada is ‘’The Evidence is Clear; Invest in Prevention’’, adding that a total of 85 hectares of cannabis sativa farms had been destroyed within one year.
Wada said a total of 43 schools across the state were sensitized on the dangers of drug abuse while the war against Drug Abuse Clubs have been established in 68 secondary schools across the three senatorial zones to sustain sensitization and upgrade enlightenment.
He revealed that the drug demand reduction unit of the command from June 2023 to date has counselled a total of 630 drug-dependent persons, while 455 are male and 175 are female.The Commander said a total of 11 drug-dependent persons were admitted for rehabilitation for the period under review, and have been discharged after successful rehabilitation and reintegration into society, while three are still under rehabilitation at the centre.
He solicited the support, cooperation and partnership of the public for effective preventive drug demand and supply to checkmate drug abuse in the State.
Wada enumerated the challenges of the Command including the lack of operational vehicles and the relocation of the Command office to the state Capital, Asaba.