P4P Partners NDLEA To Mitigate Drug Abuse in Imo Communities

ThankGod EMEH…

A Non-governmental Organization, Partners For Peace in the Niger Delta (P4P) Imo state Chapter in partnership with the Drug Demand Reduction Unit of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency Imo State Command has taken bold steps to arrest issues and practices of drug abuse in the state through a one-day Sensitization Programme held for Youths of Ngugo Obaire autonomous community Ikeduru LGA on Thursday, September 26, 2024 among other select communities across the state.

The community Sensitizations which had participants and critical stakeholders en masse, according to the team is aimed at tracing the roots of drug abuse as well as sensitizing abusers, addicts and uninformed persons in the hinterlands about the adverse effects of the various drugs and drinks they consume as well as practices unknown to them as drug abuse.

Addressing the Youths, the Assistant Superintendent of Narcotics 1 who doubles as the Principal Officer Sensitization on NGO liaison, NDLEA Imo Command, Mr Uzoma Kelvin decried bad parenting as one of the root causes of the permission of hard drugs into families, which he noted has caused people to go mad.

ASN 1, Uzoma Kelvin

ASN Uzoma added that approximately 60% of illegal drugs manufactured in the world find their way into Africa, noting that about 280 million people use drugs worldwide while 6 million out of 15 million users that uses drugs in Nigeria are victims that require help; hence the need for drug law enforcement to save the Youths and checkmate security in communities.

He however educated the people on the distinctions of drug abuse, noting that Drug is said to be abused: “when it is prohibited by law such as cocaine, codeine and heroin”; “when its use is not medically necessary such as the use of Diazepam, and Tramadol”; and “when it is excessively used such as alcohol and cigarettes”

The NDLEA Principal Officer equally charged the Youths to desist from all forms of Stimulants, Narcotics, and Depressants which include cocaine, Cannabis Sativa, Crystal methamphetamine, tramadol, heroin, Codeine, alcohol, lezotan, and Valiu, adding that “to the stages of drug abuse include experiment, occasional or irregular use, regular use and dependency or addiction”.

Speaking also, the Commander of Partners of Peace, Imo State Chapter, Comrade Chilos Godsent said the Sensitization of the select communities is a result of intervention mapping to Mitigate Drug Abuse in high prevalent areas following discoveries of key suppliers proximity locations, adding that it must have ripple effects in the area hence the need to disabuse the minds of the youths on early and quick money quests.

Comrade Chilos Godsent

Comrade Chilos advised them to take the Sensitization seriously as it is for their whole benefit, so as to make them good citizens and worthy ambassadors in society.

Welcoming the Sensitization team, the Traditional Ruler of Ngugo Obaire autonomous community Ikeduru LGA, Eze Polycarp Anugwo expressed happiness that the programme would educate the Youths of the community to take informed decisions to live healthy and crime free.

The Youths who were earlier apprehensive of the Sensitization, also expressed happiness that the programme is well packaged to save the addicted and uninformed fellows in the community, as they promised to spread the message to every nook and cranny of the locality.

Community leaders also commended P4P and the NDLEA team for their commitment and show of love, noting that the gesture and message is noth rare and impactful.