The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) and Search for Common Ground, an international Non-governmental Organisation(NGO), has collaborated to combat
By Mercy Neme
The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) and Search for Common Ground, an international Non-governmental Organisation(NGO), has collaborated to combat the growing menace of drug abuse through sensitisation campaign in Delta.
The State Deputy Commandant, Operations and Training of NDLEA, Mr Victor Isibor, during the campaign on Friday in Asaba, said that the collaboration aimed to educate the public, especially youths, on the dangers of drug abuse and its broader impact on society.
”This awareness is part of our commitment to curb the growing menace of substance abuse that is affecting our communities,” he said.
Isibor who decried the increasing involvement of women in drug abuse, described the trend as a “disturbing phenomenon’’.
He, therefore, called for urgent intervention to address the issue, saying “the rate at which women are now involved in drug intake is becoming worrisome’’.
According to Isibor, the current ratio of women to men involved in drug abuse stands at 1:4, hence the demand for immediate intervention.
Isibor emphasised that the NDLEA was committed to curbing the growing menace of substance abuse affecting communities.
He said: “this awareness is part of our commitment to curb the growing menace of substance abuse that is affecting our communities’’.
Mr Sunny Dada, Media Coordinator for ‘Search for Common Ground’, also identified drug abuse and cybercrime as significant conflict drivers in Delta.
Dada said the campaign, titled ‘Common Ground Journalism Initiative’, was led by journalists trained in conflict-sensitive reporting under the NGO’s project: ‘Community-Centred Approach to Transforming Criminality and Violence in the Niger Delta’.
“Drug abuse often leads young people into a cycle of crime and violence. Coupled with the rising cases of cybercrime, these two issues are key contributors to insecurity and conflict in the state,” he said.
Dada highlighted the significance of the sensitisation saying that conflict drivers in the society such as drug abuse and cyber crime has become a threat to peaceful coexistence.
He commended the collaboration with stakeholders, including the NDLEA, Nigeria Police, and youth groups.
“We believe initiatives like this helps to stimulate behavioural change, especially among the youth,” he said.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the NDLEA’s effort was supported by the Delta government, with the Wife of Delta Governor, Mrs Tobore Oborevwori, previously calling for concerted efforts to address the issue.
She lamented that parents were losing their children to the menace and promised to collaborate with the agency to reduce drug abuse in the state.
NAN reports that the ‘Search for Common Ground Journalism Forum’, comprising journalists trained in conflict-sensitive reporting, initiated the awareness campaign on the menace of drug abuse and cybercrime.
The road show featured participants marching through major streets of Asaba, with banners carrying anti-drug and anti-cybercrime messages, while distributing educational materials to the public. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)