A total of 360 drug offenders were arrested and 197 of them prosecuted between June 2023 to June 2024 in the state, the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Anambra State has said.
The State NDLEA Commander, Onyishi Daniel Ogbonna disclosed in a chat with newsmen in Awka, Anambra State Capital.
According to Onyishi, 258 suspects were counseled and rehabilitated, while 2.8557 tons of drugs were seized during the same period.
He said the feats were achieved through a morale boost of officers by NDLEA Chairman Chief Executive Officer Brig. Gen. Mohammed Buba Marwa and Prof Chukwuma Soludo-led administration, who has been supportive with logistics.
He restated the Command’s unwavering commitment to combating drug menace, restating their belief that the best means of preventing drug abuse, is to ensure that illicit drugs are not available.
“There is the need for Presidents-General of communities and other community stakeholders, to strengthen the existing security structure to make their communities uncomfortable for drug dealers.
“The command is willing and available, not only to professionally handle the information you provide on the drug activities in your areas but also ready to sensitize your youths on the inherent dangers of drug abuse/trafficking.
“It is recommended that “Drug Wards” be established in all Government General Hospitals for the proper management of drug users to avoid dependency. This will take care of the challenge of the non-availability of treatment centres for the drug challenge. The services in such centres should be affordable.”
Onyishi further emphasized the need for residents of the state to stop seeing drug peddling as a business but as a crime.
“This is the challenge we are facing- because parents are still seeing their children selling drugs as if they are doing business.
”Drug is a crime and can never be a legitimate business.
“The damage that the society is experiencing as a result of the drug menace is huge and can never justify whatever gain the proceeds give the peddler and their dependents.
“So, I advise our people to see these drug peddlers as people damaging the society,” he said.
