The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) and a non-governmental organisation, the Advocate for Global Peace Forum International, have trained security operatives and caregivers on prevention and management of drug abuse in Owerri.
Imo State acting state commander of NDLEA, Abubakar Wali, appealed for synergy in intelligence sharing among security agencies.
He charged every security agency to support the efforts of the NDLEA under the leadership of the agency’s chairman, Brig- Gen Buba Marwa (rtd) to rid the nation of drug abuse.
On his part, the assistant commander of Narcotics with the NDLEA, Mr Lamuwa Shehu described drug abuse as a curable disease which patients could get well with adequate care.
He called on senior officers to observe the mental health of their subordinates because according to him, everyone was struggling with their own peculiar challenge.
In a goodwill message, Governor Hope Uzodinma commended the NDLEA for its many giant leaps in drug abuse control in the state and Nigeria at large.
Uzodinma, who was represented by the state’s commissioner for Security Affairs, Dr Ugorji Okechukwu, promised to renovate the NDLEA’s rehabilitation facility in the state.
A resource person, Mrs Maria Ilubughi, advised parents and caregivers not to encourage the use of drugs by sending their children to buy drugs, but to acquire knowledge about drugs and be involved in the daily activities of the children.
The event attracted officials of the Secondary Education Management Board in Imo, led by Mrs Dorathy Utazi as well as 75 teachers, counsellors and administrators of public secondary schools.
