The
Chairman/Chief Executive of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) Ahmadu
Giade has disclosed that the Agency is perfecting strategies to provide quality
anti-drug abuse preventive education to over 140 million Nigerians. The NDLEA
is targeting over 140 million active telephone subscribers as well as internet
users for online sensitisation. The move is aimed at enhancing the drug demand
reduction functions of the anti-narcotics body thereby striking a balance
between drug law enforcement and drug demand reduction.
According
to Giade, “beyond the enforcement duties of the Agency which includes arrest of
drug suspects, drug seizures and prosecution, NDLEA through the drug demand
reduction component is committed to public enlightenment, counseling, treatment
and rehabilitation programmes. The NDLEA
has introduced Multi-Media Drug Control Initiative to educate and provide help
to victims of drug abuse. These include various online couselling platforms
like Twitter @ndlea_nigeria, Instagram @ndlea_nigeria, and e-mail ddr@ndlea.gov.ng.
We also have toll free lines 080000NDLEA, 08000063532 that members of the
public can use to contact us”.
The
NDLEA boss called on members of the public to take advantage of the initiative
adding that it was an online information desk where people can access to ask
questions and seek help on any issue relating to substance use.
The
Multi-Media Drug Control Initiative was developed based on emerging global
trend in drug abuse and illicit trafficking and the desire to reach out to a
large number of youths through the social media. At the official presentation
of this Multi-Media platform on the International Day Against Drug Abuse and
Illicit Trafficking; Dr. Martin Agwogie who is a drug abuse counselor with the
Agency highlighted some of the objectives of the initiative.
They
include provision of factual information about the consequences of drug abuse
and illicit trafficking, increase access to professional drug counselling
services and eliminating distance barrier to accessing help for drug use. Others
include encouraging drug users to seek help from NDLEA counselling centres
nationwide without fear of arrest or detention and to provide referral services
on complex cases.
This
laudable initiative is expected to further broaden the horizon of drug control
efforts in Nigeria.
No comments:
Post a Comment