NDLEA collaborates with Gombe First Lady to tackle drug abuse
The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) is seeking the collaboration of Hajiya Asama’u Yahaya, the wife of Gombe Governor, in the War Against Drug Abuse (WADA) in the state.
Mrs Ekaete Egwunwoke, NDLEA Commander in the state, disclosed the move in Gombe on Tuesday during an advocacy visit to the governor’s wife.
Read Also: Dolapo In Maiduguri, Marks Osinbajo’s Birthday At North East Children’s Centre
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that President Muhammadu Buhari recently launched WADA, with a call on civil society organisations, religious leaders and members of the society to participate in it.
Egwunwoke decried the rise in drug abuse in the state, noting that even children were not left behind.
She said the war should be fought by all well-meaning citizens.
“We have come to you as the mother of the state , a woman who has compassion when it comes to the vulnerable groups,” she said.
The commander urged Yahaya to take the campaign to the grassroots by involving the wives of local government chairmen.
According to her, research shows that those who use drugs risked exposing their family members across three generations to grave health problems.
“We want to bring an end to this ugly trend by controlling those that are not already on drugs.
“For those that are already on drugs, we will find a way to take them out and find a way to let them know that nothing good comes out of drugs,” she said.
In her response, the Gombe First Lady said that drug abuse should be an issue of concern to everyone, noting that most of the crimes committed were due to the influence of drugs.
“Ordinarily, a normal person who is not under the influence of drugs cannot commit some of the crimes,” the governor’s wife pointed out.
She assured the NDLEA that she would partner with them to see how they could reduce the menace, especially now that the state was being rated the first in drug abuse in the entire North-East region.
She called on parents to monitor their children while at home to ensure that they were not into drug abuse.
NAN reports that the highlight of the visit was the investiture of the governor’s wife as the state WADA Ambassador. (NAN)
