Health
THE sale and consumption of illicit drugs have become worrisome for Bauchi State government.
Secretary to the State Government, Mr Ibrahim Kashim, made the declaration on Thursday in Bauchi at the inauguration of a taskforce to work out modalities for curtailing the scourge.
He said the taskforce would complement efforts being made by the NDLEA in the fight against illicit drugs considering their detrimental consequences on socio-economic development of the state.
“Its terms of reference include intercepting illicit drugs in transit and closing suspected warehouses, shops and residences being used to transact drug businesses.
“It is also to prosecute persons involved in the business, arrest persons found consuming illicit drugs and map out strategies for checkmating activities of peddlers and consumers of the drugs in the state.
“Others are to devise ways of blocking supply of illicit drugs, advise government on how best to treat and rehabilitate dependent persons so as to reduce the number of users.
“The taskforce is also to give advice on professional ways of revitalisation of policies and programmes aimed at controlling the trend.
“In addition, it is to sensitise the public on the increasing menace of drug abuse and trafficking and their negative consequences,’’ Kashim said.
He directed the taskforce to take any other action necessary in curtailing the menace and urged its members to discharge the assignment to the best of their abilities to achieve desired objectives.
Also speaking at the inauguration, Chairman of the taskforce, Mr Ali Manu, noted that the NDLEA as a leading agency in the war against drug abuse and trafficking could not win the war alone.
Manu, who is also the Commander of the NDLEA in Bauchi state, called for the support of government, NGOs, religious bodies and sister security agencies to raise awareness and share information on the menace.
He said the NDLEA arrested 162 suspects and seized 673.499kg of different classes of drugs between August and November through constant intelligence-led raids on black spots and identified drug dealers.
“It is worthy of note that the issue of illicit substance abuse and trafficking should be taken with all the seriousness they deserve.
“The damages created by illicit drugs consumption and trafficking are evident in our daily lives.
“They manifest in psychiatric problems in youths, dysfunctional families, depression, and sudden death, other health issues, poverty, and crime, unfitness for employment, corruption and electoral violence among other issues,’’ he said.
Manu warned purveyors of death and destruction to steer clear of Bauchi state or be ready to face the law. (NAN)
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Tags: Ibrahim Kashim NDLEA
