The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, says at least 400,000 youths abuse drugs in Enugu State.
This was disclosed by the Enugu State Commander of the NDLEA, Mr. Abel Sunu Wadahi during a courtesy call on the chairman, Enugu State Council of Traditional Rulers, Igwe Samuel Ikechukwu Asadu.
He said that the rate of drug abuse in the state was worrisome and that if left unchecked posed serious danger in the near future.
The Commander said the youths take pride in cannabis, tramadol, mkpurumiri, cocaine, among others.
“The agency has embarked on a sensitization tour to visit every community, schools and public institutions in the state on the mantra ‘Save our Family’ campaign over drug abuse,” he said.
Wadahi appealed to the monarch, who is the traditional ruler of Edem-Ani Ogwugwu ancient kingdom and erstwhile chairman South-East Council of Traditional Rulers, to join hands with the agency in the anti-drug abuse war.
“NDLEA has introduced a drug integrity check analyzer capable of analyzing 15 types of drugs one person may have taken over the years.
“Families are advised to queue into the drug integrity analyzer which would enable them to checkmate wards/children’s level of drug abuse.
“The integrity drug check analyzer is available for sale at the agency for schools, communities and families across Enugu State.
“The state command also has a rehabilitation center where about 20 inmates are held up, treated, rehabilitated and counseled for new life in the state.
“The NDLEA center in Enugu has been in existence for the past 10 years with doctors, nurses, psychologists and counselors,” he disclosed.
Responding, Asadu accepted the role of Ambassador of War Against Drug Abuse.
He said that the war against drug abuse was a collective fight across and should be tackled with every sense of seriousness “until our youths say no to any kind of drug.”
Igwe Asadu assured the agency that the war against drug abuse would go round in all the communities, adding that all traditional rulers in the state would key into sensitizing the youths on the dangers of drug abuse.
The monarch assured that he would mount a billboard for the campaign of drug abuse as an Ambassador of War Against Drug Abuse, which would be replicated in other commitments across the state.
“The war against drug abuse must be taken to the hinterlands to ensure that youths are free from drug abuse,” he assured.