The wife of Abia State governor, Priscilla Otti, has said the country’s 2.5 million annual drug-related deaths, according to the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), are worrisome.
Mrs Otti stated this during the 2024 United Nations Day against Illicit Trafficking and Drug Abuse, organised by the agency to raise awareness about the dangers of drug abuse in Umuahia, the state capital.
Represented by the wife of the deputy governor, Adaeze Emetu, she said her office was coordinating multiple initiatives to promote social consciousness about the dangers of drug abuse in the state.
The first lady, who said the theme of the occasion, “The Evidence is Clear: Invest in Prevention,” was very appropriate, underlined the importance of a preventive approach to the challenges of drug abuse.
“This theme is in line with the government’s agenda to develop a comprehensive mechanism for dealing with the crisis of drug abuse, particularly among vulnerable young people,” she said.
“We are also working with community stakeholders, particularly women leaders, to enlighten our youths on how their future and dreams could be ruined if they fail to guard themselves against drug and substance abuse.”
She lauded the leadership of the agency and other security agencies in the state for their commitment to the fight against illicit drug trafficking and consumption. She assured them of the support of her office.
In a remark, the governor, Alex Otti, noted that knowledge of the consequences of drug abuse will go a long way to help youths make informed decisions and seek necessary help when needed.
Represented by his chief of staff, Caleb Ajagba, he emphasised the need for youths to avoid distractions and pursue goals that will propel them to heights.
In a remark earlier, the state commander of the agency, Amos Adetunji, warned patent medicine dealers and their suppliers against selling psychoactive narcotic drugs to people, especially the youth.
He urged the government to support the command by providing it with operational vehicles and other logistics needed to stop illicit drugs and substance abuse in the state.
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