The Chairman of National Drugs Law Enforcement Agency, Brig. Gen. Buba Marwa (retd.) has called for a closer tie among stakeholders to fight against drug abuse and trafficking.
Marwa, who made the call on Wednesday, disclosed that he was in Kano to strengthen the synergy and collaboration between various stakeholders to win the fight against the drug menace.
Marwa said he had met and discussed the way forward with the governor, traditional rulers, religious leaders, heads of tertiary institutions, security agents, transport unions, people in Kannywood and the elders’ forum.
“This is an advocacy visit for people to understand the negative consequences of drugs.
“We should stop it in the society, so as to cut down criminal acts.
“Wherever I go, I tell people that drug abuse is very bad, we should join hands to eradicate it,” he said.
Marwa said he was impressed with the assurance made by the stakeholders to intensify collaboration with the agency in that direction.
He, therefore, urged the media to continue to work hard in enlightening people on the dangers associated with drugs abuse.
Marwa also called on state governments and Non-Governmental Organisations to construct more drug treatment centres in their respective states for the treatment of drug addicts.
He said the call had become imperative because the Federal Government had only about 11 treatment centres in the country which was inadequate.
The chairman added that there were other mini-treatment centres domiciled at the state headquarters of the NDLEA, hence the need for more of such centres.
Marwa pointed out that in spite of the inadequacy of the treatment centres, NDLEA is able to treat about 4,000 drug addicts from January to August.
NAN
