The Edo State Government has inaugurated a Drug Control Committee at both state and local government levels to tackle the growing menace of drug abuse and promote healthy living across communities.

Inaugurating the committee, Governor Monday Okpebholo said the initiative underscores his administration’s commitment to eradicating drug trafficking and substance abuse among youths.

Represented by his deputy, Hon. Dennis Idahosa, the governor described the move as “a vital step in our unwavering commitment to stopping the menace of drug trafficking and substance use among youths.”

He lamented the increasing rate of drug dependency and its adverse effects on society, adding that the establishment of the committee aligns with the National Drug Master Plan and reflects Edo’s determination to safeguard its future generations.

The Chairman of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Brig. Gen. Buba Marwa (rtd), represented by ACGN Fidelis Cocodia, Zonal Commander, Zone 13, emphasized the importance of grassroots interventions, awareness campaigns, and community-based support systems in combating drug abuse.

Edo State Commander of the NDLEA, Mitchell Ofoyeju, disclosed that while the national drug use prevalence rate stands at 14.4 percent, Edo’s rate is higher at 15 percent — making it one of the states most affected by drug abuse in Nigeria. He warned that the trend has fueled crime and worsened youth vulnerability.

The Commissioner for Health, Dr. Cyril Oshiomhole, pledged to make Edo a model for effective drug control through rehabilitation programmes, youth enlightenment, and second-chance initiatives for recovering addicts.

Similarly, the Coordinator of the Office of the First Lady, Mrs. Edesili Okpebholo Anani, described drug abuse as a “pandemic,” stressing that “you hardly see a crime without drugs being involved.”

She called for greater involvement of women in anti-drug campaigns, noting that their empathy and influence could play a key role in changing lives.