Segun Awofadeji
18 November 2008
Bauchi — Governor Isa Yuguda of Bauchi state has called for concerted efforts amongst parents, traditional leaders, teachers and everybody, to eradicate all manner of drugs trafficking, addiction and abuse in Nigeria.
Yuguda, who played host to Chairman of the National Drug Law Enforcement, Alhaji Adamu Giade, who paid him a courtesy call, said the problem of drug trafficking, addiction and abuse are serious ones that need everybody's contribution to address.
Represented by his deputy, Alhaji Garba Muhammad Gadi, the governor lamented that youth are the most affected by the menace of drugs, and called on governments at all levels to mobilise their people to support the fight against drugs.
Yuguda enjoined local governments and traditional leaders, as the closest people to the grassroots, to pay more attention to those who peddle drugs, and ensure that they are brought to book before they make serious damage to the society.
One of the measures the administration evolved to address the problems emanating from drugs abuse, the governor said, was the established the agency for rehabilitation and development of women and youth, which has so far rehabilitated and engaged over 30,000 youth and women through skills acquisition and job creation.
Chairman of NDLEA who commended the Bauchi state government for the assistance it has been rendering to the agency's office in the state, observed that drug trafficking would be a great threat to Nigeria's economy, if not properly addressed.
The NDLEA Chairman who said he was on advocacy visit to the Government House to solicit their support in fighting against drug abuse and trafficking in the country said apart from its negative impact on the nation's image, the menace of drug abuse and trafficking is an embarrassment to the collective social and mental psyche.
He said Nigeria has been classified as one of the drug trafficking countries in the world, where some unpatriotic people import hard drugs into the country from countries like Afghanistan and Pakistan; hence the need for all stakeholders to put head together to fight against such illegal business.
Giade noted with concern where some Fadama farmers in the country especially in the Northern part of the country have utilised that opportunity to produce illegal substances like Indian hemp with the aim of making huge money.
He pointed out that such business is a great danger to the country if allowed to continue unchecked, as the country may witness food scarcity that may not augur well for the nation.
Giade then called for a law that would prohibit the misuse of some consumables items within the society, saying some youth form the habit of taking cough syrup in excess, and inhaling odor with the aim of making them lose their senses.
He urged stakeholders in the state to create awareness on the dangers of taking illegal drugs and its trafficking, as the only way to ensure safe society devoid of criminal activities.
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