The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, Anambra State Command, has raised the alarm over the inflow of cocaine and heroin into Anambra State.
The State Commander of NDLEA, Mr. Sule Momodu, raised the alarm during the third Lady Onyido/NDLEA Annual Quiz Award presentation at the Prof. Dora Akunyili Women Development Centre, Awka.
Momodu expressed worry that despite efforts by the state Governor, Willie Obiano, to reduce drug-related crime in the state, the inflow of the two substances had continued to be on the rise in the state.
He said while cocaine and heroin were on the increase, cannabis sativa, known as “Igbo” had decreased.
Momodu implored the state governor to fulfill his promise of donating five vehicles to the agency, noting that the vehicles would enable his men to cover the state in their operations.
The NDLEA boss said the agency secured 30 convictions of drug offenders in court last year.
Expressing gratitude to the governor for his support towards the fight against illicit drugs, Momodu urged him to commence the project of building a modern rehabilitation centre in the state.
He also commended Chief Alex Onyido for instituting and funding the quiz competition in the state secondary schools for three years.
The state Commissioner for Education, Prof Kate Omenugha, who represented the governor on the occasion, assured the audience that the state government would do everything within the ambit of the law to reduce drug abuse in the state.
She commended the NDLEA for trying to rid the state of drug offenders.
Omenugha remarked that the quiz competition, which centred on drug-related subject matters, would go a long way in dissuading youths in the state from abusing drugs.
Buberdorff Grammar School, Adazi Nnukwu, Anaocha Local Government Area of the state came first in the quiz competition; while Dennis Memorial Grammar School, Onitsha and Mater Amabilisi Secondary School, Umuoji, came second and third respectively. (Punch)
