NDLEA solicits support of Osun Assembly to curb illicit drugs

Members House of Assembly in Osun State will lead in the fight towards the eradication of menace of drug abuse in their respective constituencies especially among youths in the state.

This was contained in a statement realease by the Chairman House Committee on information and Strategy, Hon. Olatunbosun Oyintiloye when the Assembly members receives the management of Osun Command of the Nigeria Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) on a courtesy visit in osogbo

The Speaker, Rt.Hon Najeem Salaam gave the assurance that the lawmakers would work with the state executive and relevant Federal Government agencies to fight drug abuse.

Expressing worry over the rate of drug abuse in the state, Honourable Salam regretted that students who should be leaders of tommorrow are the ones engaging in the act.

“It is very sad that youths, the hope of tomorrow, our future are the one involving in drug abuse’.

Calling on all stakeholders to work together over the menace of hard drug, Honourable Salam stressed the need for the NDLEA to collaborate with other security agencies to minimize the menance.

“But we will do all that is necessary to educate people in our various constituency on the danger of drug abuse. We will support your agency in anyway we can to fight the menace”

“We will also talk to our traditional rulers, local chiefs to collaborate with your agency to address the problem”, the Speaker said.

The Assistant Commander, Operations and Intelligence of NDLEA, Mr Julius Dzer, said it was pathetic that youths are the major consumer of Indian Hemp in the state, adding that most of the crime committed in the state are drug disposed.

While commending the state government for its support towards fighting the menace, he solicited more cooperation and support of the lawmakers.

He appealed to the lawmakers to come up with legislation that allows the introduction of drug education in the school curriculum in the state.

Also speaking, Mrs Yetunde Ofoha, the Principal Staff Officer, Drug Demand Reduction Unit of the Agency, said it was high time all major stakeholders join hands to minimise the increase of drug abuse in the state.

Ofoha also acknowledged the pressure of peer groups pressure and ignorance are the major causes of drug abuse among the youths.

She called for introduction of Drug Free Club and awareness programmes in schools.