Commander of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) in Anambra, Sule Momodu, said on Friday that the illicit drug situation in the state had become alarming and worrisome.
Momodu raised the alarm in Awka when the agency visited the wife of the state governor, Ebele Obiano, to seek her support for the command’s war against the use and sale of illegal drugs.
He said that the use and sale of cocaine, heroin, cannabis and other psychotropic substances had become rampant in the state.
He said that Anambra had also topped other states in the federation in illegal drug and other related activities.
He said that out of the 19 Nigerians on death row over trafficking in drugs, 14 of them were from the state.
Momodu said that the command was still on course in disseminating information on dangers of trafficking and consumption of illegal drugs.
He, however, praised Governor Willie Obiano for being the one driving the war on insecurity in the state.
According to him, the governor released N15 million to the command to clean up the illegal Nanka drug factory and manufacturer of a harmful drug, methamphetamine.
“As a mother, the governor’s wife could appreciate the pains and dangers of drug addiction among children and youths,” Momodu said.
He urged her to take the drug abuse message and the NDLEA publications, including the book “Drug and You”, to the grassroots for easy education of the populace on dangers and effects of illegal drugs.
Responding, Obiano assured the agency of her determination to work with women leaders across the wards and 21 local government areas of the state to discourage the consumption and sale of illegal drugs.
Obiano said that part of the strategies would be to organise an enlightenment forum either on Sundays or once in a month to remind women of their roles in society.
She urged women to train their children and wards in character and way of the lord so that they would not indulge in social vices.
She promised to hold further consultative meetings with the women leaders to deliberate on the drug issue.
