WORLD DRUG ABUSE DAY: GOV. DIRI DECLARES ZERO TOLERANCE TO ILLICIT DRUG PEDDLING, ABUSE IN BAYELSA

The Governor of Bayelsa State, Senator Douye Diri, has declared that his administration would leave no stone unturned in the fight against peddling of illicit drugs and substance abuse in the state.

Governor Diri made the declaration at the weekend during this year's International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking at the Peace Park in Yenagoa with the theme: "Share the Facts. Save Lives".

Represented by his deputy, Senator Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo, the Governor said the state government had already set up the Bayelsa Drug Abuse Prevention and Rehabilitation Committee to checkmate the trafficking of illegal drugs and drug abuse in the state.

A statement by the Senior Special Assistant on Media, Mr Doubara Atasi, quoted him as saying that drug abuse was not limited to only the youths, and therefore stressed the need for all stakeholders to synergize efforts in fighting against the menace.

Governor Diri particularly called on the state Command of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) to work closely with the state Drug Abuse Prevention and Rehabilitation Committee in terms of sharing facts about the social menace in order to save lives.

According to the Governor, drug abuse is not peculiar to any particular age, race, religion or gender, noting that everyone was exposed to the dangers posed by the social malady in society.

Describing drug and substance abuse as an enabler of crime and criminality, he warned those perpetrating the act to desist from it in their best interest or face the wrath of the law.

His words, 'Drug abuse is not limited to only our youths. We should share the facts about drug abuse. Let our youths shun drug abuse.

"The government has set up the Bayelsa Drug Abuse Prevention and Rehabilitation Committee. That tells you that we are putting our first eleven to fight this menace of drugs.

"There will be no room for drug peddling; no room for drug marketing, and no room for drug consumption. The Committee has been charged and sooner than later, they will have offices in all the local governments, and as we go on, we will cascade it to all the constituencies.

"Those who are into it either as dealers or consumers should desist from this harmful practice because there will be no hiding place for any of them; Our crack team will smoke them out."

Earlier, the Chaiman, Bayelsa State Drug Abuse Prevention and Rehabilitation Committee, Dr Faith Izibenua described the 2021 World Day Against Drug Abuse as a call to action for all to share facts about drug abuse.

Dr Izibenua, however, cautioned everyone to get the right information from the right sources to share, adding that the UN 2021 World Drug Report on Drug and Substance Abuse indicated that 200 million people were engaged in drug abuse worldwide.

Highlights of the celebrations included a road walk led by the Deputy Governor from Imgbi Junction, in the Yenagoa metropolis to the Peace park.

https://www.facebook.com/108934160830536/posts/332844588439491/

There's a Nairalander called Illicit... ...

Deep Quote
Say No To Illicit Drug � Abuse cos It kills.


@Seniorwriter