Deputy Zonal Commander, Advocacy and Sensitisation, National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Imo zone, Dr. Nnanna Nworisa, yesterday, said drug addiction and abuse among youths could be controlled by blocking drug supply chains.
He spoke, while delivering a paper, titled, “Our Children, Our Future: The Challenging effect of Drug Abuse on the Youths”, at the newly formed Town and Gown Arena (TGA) lecture series organised by lecturers in the faculty of Communication and Media Studies, Imo State University (IMSU), Owerri.
Nworisa regretted that studies indicated that youths within the age bracket of 18 and 35 have been identified as the greatest abusers and traffickers / peddlers of drugs in the country, informing that the financial gains was the driving force for the peddlers’ indulgence.
He identified financial gains as the driving force for the peddlers’ indulgence.
According to him, “It is estimated that the wholesale price of a kilogramme of cocaine is between $50,000 and $60,000, while a ton is between $60,000,000 and $70,000,000, upon reaching its destination and double the price at the retail trade.”
Nworisa said to prevent and control drug use and trafficking, supply and circulation chains should be blocked.
He also lamented the devastating effects of illicit drugs on the youths, who are the future leaders.
“Prevention and control of drug abuse among youths can be achieved by blocking drug supplies or sources; proper parenting, family engagement, parental disapproval of substance abuse, monitoring, cheap treatment and rehabilitation services, sustained advocacies and sensitisation, tackling corruption in the war against drug trafficking, medical help in a situation where counselling cannot help, and avoidance of peer pressure.
He identified Brazil, Columbia, Peru and Mexico as some of the countries where Cocaine is produced, while some Asian regions and Afghanistan produce or supply mainly heroin, which are “very expressive and lucrative.”
The official listed other drugs abused and trafficked as Cannabis sativa, cough syrup with codeine, diazepam, tramadol, rohypnol, reativan, anabolic, steroids, ketamine, ecstasy, fentanyl, morphine, opium, methadone, methamphetamine -meth or ice, wellconal, among others.
Nworisa expressed optimism that NDLEA, established in 1989, had intensified efforts towards taming the tide.
