By Wole Adedeji, Ilorin
Kwara State governor, Mallam AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, has counselled youths in Nigeria to shun drug abuse in all its ramifications.
Governor AbdulRazaq.
gave the counsel while speaking in Ilorin on the occassion of the International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Drug Trafficking, organised by the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, Kwara State Command, in conjunction with the Kwara State Drug Control Committee and Office of the state’s First Lady, Ambassador Olufolake AbdulRazaq.
Themed “Addressing Drug Challenges in Health and Humanitarian Crises,” the event was to mark the global day set aside against the illicit use of drugs.
AbdulRazaq had said, “I thank the NDLEA, the government bodies and Office of the First Lady for putting this together. It clearly shows that the agency is alive to its responsibilities.
“The main message here today is: say no to drug abuse. There is nothing good that comes out of illicit drugs. It destroys you as a person; it destroys your family and your communities, and it undermines the government.”
The governor commended the leadership of the NDLEA, both at the federal and state levels for their proactive steps and campaigns against the abuse of drugs, pledging his continuous support for the agency and other relevant bodies to check drug crimes and mitigate its effects on the society.
He specially thanked traditional rulers, who he said had been contributing immensely to make their communities crime-free, as well as other various companies that had been supporting the event.
Acting Chief Medical Director, Federal Neuro-Psychiatric Hospital, Budo-Egba, Prof Baba Issa, said that it takes the concerted efforts of various stakeholders to rid the society of drug abuse.
Represented by Dr. Garba Suleiman, Issa said that governments must intensify the ongoing anti-drug campaigns and take extra measures against the proliferation of shops that sell illicit substances.
