By: Kalugbene Dominic
The Western Marine command, National Drug law enforcement agency on Wednesday driven its awareness campaign against drug abuse amongst the children of Riverine communities.
NDLEA who partner with the National Association of Patent and proprietary medicine dealers, (NAPPMED),of Tomaro Onisiwo community, an island in Lagos,reinstated the critical importance of combating the scourge of Narcotic drugs and illicit trafficking in the society.
The NDLEA boss, commander Paul Ahom said ,”Today is the United Nations International day against drug abuse and illicit trafficking normally mark by all nations of the world on the 26th of June, every year.
“This year’s UN Drug week celebration starts on Thursday the 20th of June and culminated with the grand finale on June 26,2024, he said.
“The NDLEA Marine command chooses to mark the grand finale in collaboration with the National Association of Patent and proprietary medicine dealers (NAPPMED), because of the significance of their role and commitment in providing rural health care services within the Riverine communities as well as play the role of first responders in providing first aids medical emergency in the Riverine harmless.
The UN Drug week celebration with the theme:”The evidence is clear, invest in prevention ,”underscores the undeniable fact that prevention is a key pillar in the fight against drug abuse and illicit drug trafficking”.
The Ndlea boss stated that, through prevention efforts by inculcating the youth on drug awareness and education by saying NO to drug abuse that the society can make a lasting impact and safeguard the future generations.
Speaking further, he said that he was aware that the illicit drug not money is the root of criminalities within the communities, Youth unrest, thuggery, illegal pipeline vandalism, cultism, armed robbery, insurgency and insecurity across the country.
Commander Ahom also lays emphasise on the integrated approach, which recognizes the roles of ministries, departments, and agencies, Traditional rulers as well as entire society in tackling the case of drug abuse and illicit trafficking.
This evolves participation of critical stakeholders from different sectors, Youths, Teachers, women, civil society, media, law enforcement agencies, as well as Transport association.
In his words, “The command shall be working with all traditional rulers in peace and the major stakeholders within the communities to strongly uphold Mr. President Renewed Hope agenda which inculcated in the implementation of the war against drug abuse (WADA),drug awareness campaign of our Chairman/CEO General Buba Marwa (rtd) .
Earlier, the Oba of Tomaro Onisiwo community,an Island in Lagos,Kabiyesi Musliu Adio Yusuf commended the Ndlea boss for chosen his community for the campaign, saying that the campaign is novel because it dovetail to the international drugs day which is the first of it kind ever held in it domain.
“I will also commend the commander ,Ndlea Western Marine command who have worked relentlessly in building framework for peaceful and prosperous fight against hard drugs through rigorous network with communities of the Riverine areas,other sisters agency to fight the challenges of drug related matters amongst the creeks.
On his part ,the chairman, National Association of Patent and proprietary medicine dealers,Tomaro,Mr. Youloufun Celestine expressed worried over the spate of drug abuse in the society, thus calling on the Federal government to strengthen Nation’s drugs challenges across all communities in the country.
He however said, “There is no doubt that my association (NAPPMED),has crucial roles to play in this regard by forging understanding and cooperation with Ndlea to fight against menace of drugs.
“We are collaborating the Ndlea to raise awareness about drug abuse and illicit trafficking and educate our communities of coverage on prevention and mitigation strategies”.
Describing drug abuse as “unhealthy for societal stability”, adding that collaborating with Ndlea , the association will organise a sensitisation programme in view to educate the youths on the negative aspect of drug abuse, which includes Sexual harassment, some negative cultural practice and norms amongst others.
