The International Society of Substance Use Professionals (ISSUP), a non-governmental organisation, has applauded the Federal Government for renewed commitment and reinvigoration of fight against drug abuse and trafficking in the country.

The South-East Zonal Leader of ISSUP, Prof Michael Ezenwa, gave the commendation on Saturday in Enugu.

Ezenwa spoke on the sidelines of this year’s World Drug Abuse Day and steps the country is taking to check the menace especially among the youth.

He noted that for the past six months the new Chairman of National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Brig-Gen. Buba Marwa (retired) came on board there had been increased enforcement and rehabilitation activities of the Agency.

He noted that there had been recent up-scale of NDLEA presence everywhere following the massive promotion of its staff, about 7,000 staff, possibly indicating provision of more funding for the agency.

According to him, this has repositioned the Agency to deal with hard drug and psycho-active substance use by citizens being remote underlying cause of criminality and violence in the country.

He said: “The results of the daily seizure of large consignment of drugs at national and at the state command levels are there in the public domain.

“Since the Federal Government brought in Brig-Gen. Marwa, the game had changed and the country through the government is having up hand.’’

Ezenwa, a Professor of Clinical Psychology in Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, urged the Federal and state governments to give more encouragement to professionals — clinical psychologists, psychiatrists and counselors.

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He said: “This is to ensure these professionals are in various government establishments to provide prevention and intervention services because drugs is ravaging our country especially among young people.

“If you see the evidence-based information about drug use in our country you get worried.

“So, we need government to employ clinical psychologists, psychiatrists and counselors in government offices and establish drug reduction units to provide prevention services.

“Prevention services are cheaper, timely and save resources.’’

Ezenwa, who is also the President, Nigerian Psychological Association, urged well meaning Nigerians to join the fight against drug abuse and support evidence-based information on the side-effect of drugs and psycho-active substances.

This year’s World Drug Abuse Day, which is celebrated every June 26, is with the theme: “Share Facts on Drugs and Save Lives’’.

The World Drug Abuse Day is meant to strengthen action and cooperation in achieving the goal of a world free of drug abuse