The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has cultivated a new
strategy in its war against drug traffickers and abusers.
According to the Chairman of the Agency, Ahmadu Giade, the Agency was
perfecting strategies to provide quality anti-drug abuse preventive education
to over 140 million Nigerians.
The targeted audiences are expected to be active telephone subscribers as
well as internet users.
The image of NDLEA, Mitchel Ofoyeju said that the move was aimed at
enhancing the drug demand reduction functions of the anti-narcotics body
thereby striking a balance between drug law enforcement and drug demand
reduction.
Further buttressing, Ofoyeju’s point, Giade said: “Beyond the enforcement
duties of the Agency which includes arrest of drug suspects, drug seizures and
prosecution, NDLEA, through the drug demand reduction component is committed to
public enlightenment, counseling, treatment and rehabilitation programmes.
The NDLEA has introduced Multi-Media Drug Control Initiative to educate
and provide help to victims of drug abuse. These include various online counselling
platforms like Twitter @ndlea_nigeria, Instagram @ndlea_nigeria, and e-mail ddr@ndlea.gov.ng.”
The chairman said that NDLEA also have toll free lines 080000NDLEA,
08000063532 that members of the public can use to contact the Agency.
The NDLEA boss called on members of the public to take advantage of the
initiative adding that it was an online information desk where people can
access to ask questions and seek help on any issue relating to substance use.
Ofoyeju said that the Multi-Media Drug Control Initiative was developed
based on emerging global trend in drug abuse and illicit trafficking and the
desire to reach out to a large number of youths through the social media.
He noted that at the official presentation of this Multi-Media platform
on the International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking; Dr. Martin
Agwogie who is a drug abuse counselor with the Agency highlighted some of the
objectives of the initiative.
“They include provision of factual information about the consequences of
drug abuse and illicit trafficking, increase access to professional drug
counselling services and eliminating distance barrier to accessing help for
drug use. Others include encouraging drug users to seek help from NDLEA
counselling centres nationwide without fear of arrest or detention and to
provide referral services on complex cases. This laudable initiative is expected to
further broaden the horizon of drug control efforts in Nigeria,” said Ofoyeju.
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