The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), in collaboration with Patricklingo Pharmaceuticals Limited, has sensitized Imo youths on the dangers of drug and substance abuse.
Speaking during the program at Akokwa town in Ideato North Council area of Imo on Monday, the NDLEA Commander in the state, Mr. Reuben Apeh, described drug abuse as “an evil wind that blows no one any good”.
Apeh, a Commander of Narcotics, who thanked the pharmaceutical company for the partnership, called on other public-spirited Nigerians to tow the same path.
“We have to help the youths understand that no one who indulges in drugs lives a successful life because drugs affect not just the user but the family and community at large.
“It leads to loss of dignity and focuses as well as has severe health implications such as memory loss and psychological imbalance. We want youths to say no to drugs,” he said.
The Chief Executive Officer of Patricklingo, Mr. Patrick Onwuelingo, said that the partnership with the NDLEA was part of performing his company’s Corporate Social Responsibility of discouraging consumption of hard drugs such as methamphetamine.
While commending activities of the NDLEA in Imo, Onwuelingo called on youths of the community to say no to drugs and build a society that they and generations after them would be proud of.
“We find ourselves in an alarming situation but we will continue to do our best, to speak out as elderly persons and hope that the younger generation will listen and imbibe what has been said.
Speaking on the theme “War Against Drug Abuse – Say No To Mkpurummiri (methamphetamine)”, Mr. Lamua Shehu, an NDLEA Assistant Commander of Narcotics, harped on community vigilance and increased public health awareness to combat drug abuse.
He described it as “worrisome”, the results of a recent survey which indicated that 14.5 million of the 246 million drug abusers in the world were Nigerians.
He, therefore, called for proactive measures to stem the tide.
Also, the Command’s Principal Staff Officer in Charge of Sensitisation, Mr. Uche Samson, advised the youths not to allow illicit use of drugs to destroy their dreams and ambitions.
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Samson, a Chief Superintendent of Narcotics, called on schools, religious bodies, and community leaders to spread the campaign against drug abuse with a view to reducing it to the barest minimum.
The highpoint of the event was Onwuelingo’s decoration by Apeh as the first Ambassador of War Against Drug Abuse in Imo, in recognition of his contributions to the fight against drugs in Akokwa.
Also, Mr. Damian Onwujuru, a school proprietor joined Onwuelingo to announce cash donations for the rehabilitation of repentant drug users from the community.
