By Donald Ojebo
ASABA/Nigeria: Delta State Government has decried the upsurge in drug abuse despite the supply and demand control efforts put in place by successive administrations as millions of youth have fallen prey to this menace.
The Delta State Commissioner for Health, Dr. Mordi Ononye made this known today during the seminar to mark the United Nations Day against Drug Abuse held at the Unity Hall, Government House, Asaba.
The Commissioner said that drug abuse is a universal problem that cuts across every age, gender, religion, race and socioeconomic class hence the need for all to be involved in curbing the menace.
“This drug problem is indeed a challenge because other substances that are not classified as drugs are also being abused and as such, it is now termed ‘substance abuse’. Marijuana also known as cannabis used to be the only locally produced illicit drug in Nigeria before the discovery of a Clandestine Laboratory for manufacturing Methamphetamine in Lagos in 2011.
He said further investigation had led to the discovery of 11 other Methamphetamine production laboratories including one in Delta State” the Commissioner revealed.
The Commissioner also stated that the nature of the drug problem is such that cannot be fought and won in isolation hence the need for collaborations in the campaign for a drug free Delta State that will result to a drug free society.
This abuse of substances is truly worrisome and its harmful effects are wide as nobody is immune from it and therefore the need for greater collaboration between the government, non-governmental organizations, churches, mosques, private establishments and indeed the general public.
He explained that Drug Abuse Day marked on the 26th June every year with various activities to throw more light on the dangers of substance abuse and help the populace make the right decision regarding substance abuse has as its 2022 theme: ‘addressing drug challenges in health and humanitarian crises.
Determined to curb the scourge, the Okowa administration established the Delta State Drug Control Committee with proper funding to enable it carry out its various functions that include increasing the awareness of drug abuse problems and create a demand reduction.
The Committee has also trained over 500 secondary school teachers on the dangers of drug abuse and this is currently being cascaded into the setting up of drug free clubs in the various schools in the State to dissuade students from taking illicit substances and to live a healthy and productive life.
In its bid to provide adequate support for people battling with substance addiction, Dr. Ononye revealed that the State government embarked on the construction of a Drug Rehabilitation Center in Kwale, Ndokwa West LGA a first of its kind in Delta State.
He called on all and sundry to partner with government in fighting the battle of drug abuse by discouraging everyone from drugs and substance abuse, providing encouragement to people trying to overcome this addiction and providing information to the government in cases of drug trafficking and together, we will win this war against drug abuse.
