Ndi Imo | War Against Drug Abuse Rages On In Imo State
War Against Drug Abuse Rages On In Imo State
...AS HON DR LINA OKEREKE, SPECIAL ADVISER ON HEALTH, and PROJECT DIRECTOR DRUG FREE WORLD AFRICA (DFWA) PARTNERING WITH NDLEA IMO STATE COMMAND, MEETS WITH THE TOP NDLEA MANAGEMENT, NATIONAL HEADQAUTERS, ABUJA TODAY 15/21/2021.
The vibrant appointee of the Executive Governor of Imo State, Dist. Sen. Hope Uzodimma, who has a commendable foresight, and all out to save Imo youths from the damaging effect of drug abuse, has been sensitizing Imo Youths, Parents, Churches etc. This, she has been doing, in conjunction with other relevant bodies apart from NDLEA, but not limited to State Ministry of Health, National Medical Association, National Medical Laboratory Scientist Association, Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria, Justice Development Peace and Caritas (JPDC), ISOPADEC. She is today brainstorming with the top management of NDLEA National Headquaters, Abuja, on way out for Imo State to reduce Chronic Drug Demand by our youths and how to REHABILITATE a number of them already having damaging effect, given them new skills and opportunities to get back on track. Meeting top NDLEA management, facilitated by Nze Ozichukwu Chukwu, Managing Director, Nigerian Merchant Bank. (Rtd), and a Patron to DFWA.
The SA Health/Nigeria Project Director of DFWA said "it will shock you to know that children in primary school now use hard drugs. We have been going to Schools, Churches, LGAs, also trying to penetrate the Parent-Teachers Association. Parents need to be close to their kids, check them always and monitor them strictly to ensure they are not into drugs or in a cult."
“These are things they are picking up from the environment around them and we need most importantly among other plans, PREVENT their INITIATION (catch them young) into these dangerous activities that would lead to destruction and death,” Dr Lina Okereke said.
In her response, the NDLEA boss,the second to the DG, Abuja, Dr. Ndozi Madubuike, Assistant Commander General of Narcotic (ACGN) & Director, Drug Demand Reduction (DDR) Directorate, NDLEA Headquarters, praised and thanked the Governor of Imo State who has appointed Dr Lina Okereke as his SA on Health and described her appointment as a round peg in a round hole. She noted that it is rare to see a government appointee, present or past, being all out to assist them on this journey.
She explained how happy they are to welcome support services like this and said that they are ready to partner with Imo State Government, through DRUG FREE WORLD AFRICA, to help Imo State come out of the danger list that drug abuse is plunging their youths and Imo State in general.
She said that "the side effect of this in the State will be so disastrous if not checked as this will, undoubtedly, drive away good investors and other good things coming to Imo State, directly and indirectly if not. She warned that all hands should be on deck otherwise Imo State will soon see the bad effect not just on the health, restiveness and social vises but also, developing the State will gradually be an issue", she emphasized.
Chief among the agenda discussed during the meeting between Drug Free World Africa and the NDLEA boss were:
1. Importance of the General War Against Drug Abuse (WADA) Campaign organised by DFWA starting January 26th 2022 - urging Dr Lina Okereke to make it very elaborate.
2. Sustainability of the program to schools, churches, etc, as proposed by DFWA
3. Necessity of a good Rehabilitation center
4. To make Imo youths shun drug and illicit substances abuse including Mkpurummiri (Cristal Meth) Ecstacy, Crack, Merijuana, Herion, Rx, Cocain, Synthetic Drugs, Ritalin, LSD, Inhalants. We only hear about mpkurummiri. They are laughing, telling us that, they have catelogue of them with them. Worst to know that each time, deadlier ones than the former are immerging.
