Enugu State NDLEA Says Drug-Induced Health Challenges Are An Emergency
Activities marking the celebration of the 2022 World Drug Week ended in Enugu State on Wednesday with a call by the Enugu State Commander of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, Bassey Idim, for all hands to be on deck to win the war against drug abuse.
Mr Idim, who spoke at Enugu State high court auditorium, venue of the grand finale, said drug abuse killed about one million people in 2019 and an estimated 18 million years of healthy life were lost due to the abuse of drugs.
He said that the NDLEA has undertaken a national drug use survey and the information from the exercise will be utilized for the effective prevention, treatment and provision of care services that reduce demand for drugs.
The NDLEA Commander who said that there is a sense of urgency in tackling health challenges arising from drug abuse n Nigeria received the support of the Enugu State governor, Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi.
Represented by Hon. Tony Manfred Nzekwe, Commissioner for Youth and Sports, governor Ugwuanyi said that drug abuse and its consequences have become a global pandemic, which required the deployment of all facilities and expertise.
Also speaking at the event, the head of the National Gallery for Arts, Pat Nkwocha, urged Nigerian children to steer clear of drugs because it could ruin their education.
The grand finale attracted prominent personalities, including the President of Initiative Against Suicide and Drugs, Elijah Edeh, representative of the Commander of EFCC in the South-East, Ase Essien Friday, Royal fathers and school children.
