BIRNIN – Kebbi – The National Drugs Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has called on stakeholders to ensure the full implementation of the national drug control master plan.
The new NDLEA commander in Kebbi state, Alhaji Abdullahi Zungeru, made the call while addressing newsmen in Birnin Kebbi.
He said the agency would work closely with the state Ministry of Health, NAFDAC and Pharmaceutical Association of Nigeria in the state to ensure that the alarming drug demand was reduced.
He lamented that patent medicine stores were conduits for the sale of medicinal drugs that had been abused by youths.
“With only eight registered pharmacists and two registered chemists the agency would not relent in reversing the trend of drug abuse in the state,” he said.
He said he would ensure enforcement of the policies of the task force on counterfeit and fake drugs, stressing that a new strategy of “bye and burst” would be introduced to prosecute patent stores that dispense medicinal drugs for abuse.
“The agency would regulate clandestine dealers and chemists in illegal drugs through sustained enlightenment on the ills of drug abuse with the support of the media and stakeholders,” he said.
He said the agency was facing serious challenge in the speedy prosecution of suspected illegal drug dealers and users.
“The establishment of a Federal High Court in the state would assist in speedy trial of suspects.
“The agency would sustain the counselling as well as skills acquisition training for addicts and unrepentant users”.
