NDLEA in Gombe laments over rise in psychotropic substances

Gombe State Command of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency has lamented in the increase of psychotropic substances in the state among youths, adding that it has an overwhelming influence on users.

The State Commander, Ekaete Egwunwoke, made this revelation in Gombe during the Implementation of National Security Sensitization Programme against political thuggery, kidnapping, drug abuse, radicalization, and violent extremism organised by the National Orientation Agency.

Egwunwoke revealed that Rohypnol had aided rape cases, noting that drugs have dire consequences. Represented by Deputy Commander Olisaemeka Okafor, the commander urged all hands to be on deck.

The commander noted that out of about 100 per cent of seizures by the agency over 80 per cent are prescribed drugs.

She said, “Most of them are prescription drugs but people abuse them. Many boys use it to hypnotize women. Generally, psychotropic substances usage is on the increase.

“Also, the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crimes stated that Indian hemp should be the highest drug of abuse in the whole world but in Gombe State, it is prescription drugs that are psychotropic substances and they are; tramadol, Rohypnol, d5 all those prescription drugs including cough syrup and codeine.

“Cannabis, that is Indian hemp, has 20 per cent. That will tell you the way people are abusing d5, tramadol, Rohypnol and the rest of them. Recently, we seized tramadol of 25,700 capsules from a student and it was worth millions of Naira.

She added that if the seizure was not made it would have circulated in Gombe, “This prescription drugs immediately they enter Gombe under three days they will be sold. They are making high turnover but we are working assiduously to catch up with them,” Egwunwoke said.

Also speaking, State Director of NOA Adaline Patari noted that securing lives and property is a dire need for any thriving country.

Patari urged relevant agencies and stakeholders to team up with her agency towards curbing the vices induced by drug abuse.

She said, “Without security, a country remains exposed to threats, and is vulnerable. In this state, the attainment of such a country’s objectives and projects becomes a herculean task.

“As an agency of government involved in community mobilization in its programme implementation, experience has shown that dugs are often associated with virtually all anti-social behaviours bedevilling the country.

“It is enabler and trigger which propels people to go into crimes such as; political thuggery, banditry, political and religious radicalism, kidnapping, violent extremism, armed robbery, vandalism and wanton destruction of public assets and infrastructure”.