As part of activities to mark the 2024 International Day Against Drug Abuse, the Delta State State Drug Control Committee on Monday took sensitisation campaign to streets of Asaba on dangers of drug abuse.
Members of the committee, drawn from the State Ministries of Health, Education, Justice, as well as representatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), the Police, amongst others, converged at the Oshimili South Arcade from where they walked through some streets of Asaba.
Mrs Helen Orie, the Chairperson of the committee and Director, Pharmaceutical Services, State Ministry of Health, who led the campaign/road walk, said drug abuse was on the increase and needed to be curbed before it got worse.
Orie, speaking on the theme for the 2024 celebration: “Say No To Drug Abuse”, noted that drug abuse always had devastating effects on individuals involved, the family setting and society at large.
Orie, a Pharmacist, explained that the fight against drug abuse was in two dimensions; supply reduction, being championed at the Federal level and demand reduction, being handled by the Drug Control Committee at the state level.
She said the committee, with the support of the State Government, had recorded some successes in the prevention and control of drug abuse in the state.
According to her, we have taken sensitisation campaigns to public places, including places of worship, markets, schools and communities with significant impacts.
“Today’s sensitisation/road walk is meant to further create more awareness on the need for a drug-free society”, she said.
Orie commended Governor Sheriff Oborevwori for his support toward the campaign against drug abuse in the state.
Also speaking, the Assistant State Commander, Drug Demand Reduction, NDLEA, Delta Command, Silas Omobude, said 14.4 million Nigerians, aged between 18 and 29, were involved in drug abuse and trafficking.
Omobude, who is also the State Secretary of the committee, said fighting the drug war was a Herculean task which required the collective effort of all critical stakeholders.
He noted that the State Government had reasonably supported the committee to record some breakthroughs.
On his part, the Chairman, Actors Guild of Nigeria, Delta State Chapter, Mr Emmanuel Onyemeziem, debunked insinuations that the Nigerian movie industry had contributed to societal ills, including drug abuse.
Onyemeziem said the guild was in partnership with the NDLEA and the Delta State Government in the war against drug abuse, and urged youths to say no to drug abuse and embrace meaningful ventures.
