Omon-Julius Onabu in Asaba
Delta State Government has expressed readiness to collaborate with the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) to check the worrisome escalation in the use of psychoactive substances and illegal drugs especially among youths in Nigeria.
The illicit use of these psychoactive substances, which can lead to physical, social or emotional harm, has serious economic, social and security implications for any given country.
Chief Executive Officer of Delta State Orientation Bureau (DSOB), and Executive Assistant on Communications to the Governor, Dr Wilfred Oghenesivbe, disclosed the possibility of partnering with the country’s drug law agency while speaking at a public affairs programme in Asaba yesterday.
He harped on the need to curb the unlawful drug menace in the state through multifaceted campaigns and rehabilitation strategies that should be adopted by government.
The strategies being mulled by the Oborevwori administration “include up scaling of arrests and prosecution of unrepentant users and sellers, rehabilitation of drug addicts, and reintegration into society via wealth and job creation programmes under the M.O.R.E agenda of Governor Sheriff Oborevwori.”
According to him, Governor Oborevwori “is committed to the well-being of citizens and will do whatever it takes to eliminate or at least drastically reduce the use of illegal drugs across the three senatorial districts.”
“The Delta State Command of the NDLEA has officially indicated interest to partner with the State Orientation Bureau, in the area of sensitisation of youths on the life-threatening consequences of substance abuse and use of illegal drugs,” Oghenesivbie disclosed.
He said that the synergy shall, to a large extent, reduce the menace, if not completely eradicate the menace in the state.
“The Bureau’s campaign shall cut across the three senatorial districts,” he further said, noting that the NDLEA’s personnel would be on ground to professionally articulate the dangers of use of illicit drugs and the legal implications as well as the unpleasant consequences.
He said that the state government “under the social security and citizens welfare programmes encapsulated in Oborevwori’s M.O.R.E agenda shall do the needful, subject to availability of funds, to rehabilitate drug addicts and enrol them into the wealth and job creation programmes.
“I can tell you for free that the state government and the governor, Oborevwori, take the issue of substance abuse and use of illegal drugs very seriously.
“Campaign against drug abuse and use of illegal drugs shall be given prime attention. And I’m happy to inform you and Deltans that the Delta State Command of the NDLEA has officially indicated interest to partner with Delta State Orientation Bureau, in the area of sensitization to reduce or eradicate the unfortunate menace.
“We are targeting colleges and institutions of higher learning in the state. We shall be on ground at various campuses with NDLEA officials to articulate the dangers of illicit drugs and substance abuse as well as the criminal elements and prosecution associated with the crime. It is obviously a crime to use illegal drugs. The laws are there and very potent.
“Government cherishes the life of every Deltans, and very much interested to see the consistent progress of our youth across the three senatorial districts. It’s a good and wise investment to talk our youth out of drug abuse and use of illegal drugs.”
He urged Delta youths to take a cue from the state governor who is well known for his personal discipline as a man who abstains from alcohol, tobacco and hard drugs.
“More importantly, the state governor, Rt Hon Sheriff Oborevwori, neither smokes nor drinks alcohol. In that respect, he would do anything lawful and reasonable to help drive the campaign to a logical conclusion.
“That’s what Advancing Delta is all about. It’s about saving lives, about the prosperity and wellbeing of Deltans. It’s about good governance in all ramifications,” Oghenesivbe said.
