The Rivers State Commandant of the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Basil Igwebueze, has condemned the increase in the use of hard drugs by Nigerian youths.
This condemnation was made while receiving the Commander, National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Rivers State Command, Ahmed Mamuda, at the NSCDC in Port Harcourt.
He stated that research had shown that most crimes are committed after the use of these drugs, and one of the ways to stop this is for the nation to condemn the use of hard drugs across all ages.
According to Igwebueze, most children are introduce to this act in their early stage of life as a result of the environment they found themselves and the negative exposure that has impacted their lives negatively. He therefore suggested that the fight against the use of drugs should be a deliberate and collective effort of everyone so as to achieve a crime free society.
He said, “It is highly disturbing that drug abuse has now eaten deep into the fabrics of our society, it has destroyed our youths especially, and for us to protect the tomorrow which our youth are going to be leaders we need to be in unity towards fighting the course.
“The campaign against drugs and substance abuse should not be done only in schools and neighborhood, the fighters of this crime which include all Security personnel, are also not excluded; officers and men on duty must see the need to firmly abhor the intake of drugs and inducers while on duty as well.
“I also want to state unequivocally that the issue of espirit-de-corps does not apply when a crime is being committed, you will be made to face the wrath of the law even as an officer if you are caught dealing in or consuming narcotics.”
Earlier, the Rivers NDLEA Commander who led a team of Senior Management Officers on the courtesy visit said a lot of campaign was ongoing in various communities across the state.
He further affirmed that in curtailing sales and intake of illicit drugs and prohibited substances the NDLEA has been organizing reorientation and awareness programme across communities, churches, mosques and schools and this informed the need for NDLEA, NSCDC and other security agencies to partner and strengthen ties in order to fight to a standstill the spate of drug abuse across board.
“My visit today is premised on the need to collaborate with your agency so that we can join hands together to rid Rivers State from the hand of criminal minded persons, and one of the ways to do this is to vehemently combat the circulation and intakes of illicit drugs in our environment. On behalf of the entire NDLEA Command I want to promise that as you have given your full support we would organize a training session for the officers to be fully equipped with necessary skills on how to identify prohibited drugs, effects of intake, arrest and rehabilitation methods for victims.”
The highlight of the visit was the presentation of materials and souvenirs.
