Bauchi — Chairman, National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) Alhaji Ahmadu Giade, said yesterday that drug trafficking remained a threat to Nigeria's economy if not properly addressed.

Giade said this when he visited the Emir of Bauchi, State House of Assembly and Challenge Your Disability Initiatives (CYDI)'s office, to solicit support in the fight against drug abuse and trafficking.

He said apart from impacting negatively on the nation's image, drug abuse and trafficking were embarrassing to our collective social and mental psyche.

He said Nigeria has been classified as one of the drug trafficking countries in the world with some unpatriotic people importing hard drugs into the country from countries such as Afghanistan and Pakistan, hence the need for all stakeholders to join hands to fight against such illegal business.

Giade said some Fadama farmers in the country, especially in the North have utilised that opportunity to produce illegal substances like Indian hemp with the aim of making large amount of money, adding that such business is dangerous, as it could lead to food scarcity.

He called for a law that will prohibit the misuse of some consumable items and cited the instance of youth who have formed the habit of taking a particular cough syrup in excess, and inhaling odour from pit toilet early in the morning all in a bid to make them high.