World marks day against drug abuse

• As NDLEA Seized N22billion Drugs in 2015
• UN Calls For Compassionate Approach To Global Drug Problem

Muhammad Mustapha Abdallah, chairman, National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), has called for concerted efforts against drug abuse and illicit trafficking.

The NDLEA boss spoke, as Nigeria joins the world in marking the International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking, which holds today.

He said all hands must be on deck to fight the threat posed by narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances.

Abdallah, who spoke on the state of drug control in Nigeria, said the threat of narcotics is real, as the estimated street value of seized narcotic drugs in 2015 is over N22b.

“The threat of illicit drugs is real and concerted effort is required to halt the activities of drug trafficking cartels,” he said. “In 2015, the Agency seized drugs weighing 903, 624.56kg with an estimated street value of over N22b. Drug control is an important campaign that affects national security and public health. We must collectively rise up against drug trafficking organisations. The effects of drugs on children, youths, families and communities are unimaginable. There is need for a greater understanding of the effects of drugs by members of the public,” Abdallah said.

NDLEA arrested 8, 778 suspected drug traffickers comprising 8, 143 males and 635 females in 2015. A total of 903, 624.56kg of narcotic drugs were seized from drug trafficking cartels in 2015. The drugs included cannabis 871, 480.32kg, psychotropic substances 30, 652.93kg; ephedrine is 785.10kg, methamphetamine 410.82kg, cocaine 260.47kg, heroin 30.09kg and amphetamine 4.83kg. The Agency also won 1,6 90 cases prosecuted in 2015.