Worried about the spate of substance abuse and peddling in the state, the Wife of Anambra State Governor, Dr Nonye Soludo on Thursday, launched the ‘Operation Clean Anambra of Substance Abuse.’
The initiative launched in Awka, Anambra State Capital, under the Healthy Living Overwatch, will play inter-dependent functions alongside local authorities like the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Operation Clean and Healthy Anambra (OCHA) Brigade, security agencies, and the World Health Organization (WHO).
Its major role is to monitor and provide information about manufacturers and peddlers of illicit substances and assist government agencies in tracking drug-related cases in communities.
Inaugurating the programme, Mrs Soludo explained that the prevalence of drug abuse demands the collective efforts of all stakeholders, observing that the government alone, with its limited resources, can not win the war.
“Most disheartening is the fact that these dangerous substances have found their way in schools and into the hands of children. The illicit drug economies are booming to the detriment of our society.
“Our communities have become havens for drug peddlers and manufacturers who use the element of fear and intimidation to silence the people who are willing to assist local authorities with valid information.
“We must break down the walls of these illicit drug economies and criminal conglomerates and expose those who are running the lucrative criminal enterprises,” she posited.
The Anambra First Lady noted that another key responsibility of the Overwatch will be to follow up on arrests and prosecution of drug offenders and to build mutual partnerships with different agencies and organizations to free the state from the deadly disease of drug abuse.
According to her, “Healthy Living with Nonye Soludo Initiative, has identified mental health as a key part of our education and social movement.
“As a War Against Drug Abuse (WADA) Ambassador, I’m approaching this task with every sense of commitment and passion. I’m dedicating my time and energy to this movement.
“I wish to commend all those who have volunteered to lead this important task and urge you all to see yourself as a driver of the solution that we seek.
“Everything is now in your hands.
“I appeal to you to see this task as your share of societal reformation. Do it with godliness, dedication, and sincerity. Do it with zeal, truth, and honesty. Do this job for that poor family whose hopes have been dashed by this drug menace. Do it for our children, women, and youths. Do it for the good of Anambra State,” she pleaded.
Earlier, the State Commissioner for Health, Dr Afam Obidike commended the decision of the governor’s wife to actively involve mothers in the fight because of the key role they play in child upbringing.
He also said the Presidents-General of communities have also been integrated, to help advance the cause of the initiative in all communities.
In a presentation, the State Commander of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, Mr Daniel Onyeisi said the command is already going after the rug command and control centres across the state, adding that the war against drugs can be won with collaborative efforts.
He emphasized the need for people to stop seeing drug dealing as a business, saying that it is only when people begin to see it as a crime that they will stand up against it.
Dr Morphus Uche, who is a Consultant Psychiatrist at the Federal Neuro-Psychiatric Centre, Nnewi, in an exposition, revealed that severe punishment for addicts has yielded no result, stressing that what they need is love and support.
The official inauguration of the campaign by the governor’s wife formed the high point of the event.
