NDLEA laments high rate of drug abuse in Abia

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) in Abia has decried the high rate of drug abuse in the state.

The Commander, NDLEA, in Abia, Mr. Dogo Yusuf, said this on Wednesday while commemorating the 2023 International Day Against Substance Abuse and Illicit Drug Trafficking.

Yusuf said this manifested in a long line of victims awaiting admission at NDLEA's rehabilitation center in Aba.

The event, marked globally, has as its theme “People First: Stop Stigma and Discrimination, Strengthen Prevention”.

He lamented that NDLEA's rehabilitation center in Aba could not admit all the victims who needed rehabilitation because of the huge number of victims in the state.

“This is because space is not enough, which is proof that drug abuse is very high in Abia State.

“That is one more reason Abia residents need to abhor stigmatization and help those who are already in trouble tracetheir path back to normal life,” he said.

He said that Abia people needed to support the agency in its effort to end stigmatization and discrimination against victims of drug abuse.

According to him, stigmatization against drug abuse victims had over the years prevented such people from seeking help.

He said drug abuse victims were humans with inherent dignity deserving of the understanding, empathy, and support needed to make them feel safe, respected, and encouraged to access treatment.

The Commander, however, noted that his message for the event was the same as that of the Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of NDLEA, Retired Brig.-Gen. Buba Marwa.

Yusuf urged the people of Abia to stand firm and break down the stigmatizing barriers that prevented victims from seeking help.

He said that fighting prejudices and stereotypes that hinder victims’ access to healthcare and promoting acceptance fosters a society that embraces victims on their path to recovery.

He said that the Abia Command had been very successful in prosecuting and convicting drug criminals, in spite of the serious logistical challenges faced by the agency.

Yusuf solicited assistance in the areas of logistics and vehicle donation, adding that fighting drugs in a community needed sound vehicles to reach affected areas.