EDO NDLEA RAISES CONCERN OVER CANNABIS FARMS, SCHOOLCHILDREN IN DRUG ABUSE
Read Time:2 Minute, 17 Second
By:Tajudeen Aminat
The Edo State Command of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has identified the growing cultivation of cannabis in forest areas and the increasing involvement of schoolchildren in illicit drug activities as major challenges undermining the fight against drug abuse and trafficking in Nigeria.
The agency said the trend is hampering efforts to curb the production, distribution and consumption of illegal substances across the country.
Edo State NDLEA Commander, Dr. Mitchell Ofoyeju, disclosed this on Thursday while receiving a delegation from the Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria (PSN) and the Association of Community Pharmacists of Nigeria (ACPN), who paid him a courtesy visit at the command headquarters in Benin City.
Ofoyeju called for stronger collaboration among relevant stakeholders, stressing that tackling drug abuse requires a collective effort. He reaffirmed the commitment of the NDLEA, PSN and ACPN to strengthening their partnership in the fight against substance abuse and illicit drug trafficking.
He noted that the agency is grappling with several complex challenges, including the expansion of cannabis cultivation in forested areas, which contributes to environmental degradation, the exploitation of farmers by criminal networks, and the increasing recruitment of schoolchildren into illegal drug activities.
According to him, drug abuse remains a chronic relapsing brain disorder that demands sustained prevention, treatment and rehabilitation efforts, while warning of its far-reaching effects on individuals, families and national development.
Ofoyeju described the visit by the pharmaceutical bodies as a significant step towards advancing the War Against Drug Abuse (WADA) campaign.
The delegation was led by the Chairman of the PSN, Edo State Chapter, Dr. Chris Oisakede, and included the Chairman of the ACPN, Dr. Nwachukwu Memili, alongside other executive members. They were received by Ofoyeju and the command’s senior management team, including Deputy State Commander Victor Isibor Chuks and other principal officers.
Speaking during the visit, Oisakede praised the NDLEA’s achievements and its integrated approach to combating drug abuse through supply reduction, demand reduction and public awareness campaigns.
He assured the command of the continued support of community pharmacists, describing them as key partners due to their daily interaction with members of the public. He also commended the agency’s alternative livelihood initiative for cannabis farmers.
Similarly, ACPN Chairman Dr. Nwachukwu Memili highlighted the role of community pharmacists in promoting ethical drug distribution and announced plans to organise a free medical outreach for officers and personnel of the Edo NDLEA Command.
Also speaking, former PSN Chairman and Managing Director of VJ Essex Pharmacy, Dr. Grace Ogieva, applauded the progress made in reducing the circulation of illicit drugs through licensed pharmacies.
She urged the NDLEA to broaden its sensitisation campaigns by engaging pharmaceutical companies, transport unions, religious organisations and community groups to strengthen the fight against drug abuse.
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