Rose Ejembi, Makurdi
The Benue State Command of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) says it has seized 289.4 liters of cough syrup laced with codeine between January 2018 and now.
This was in addition to the seizure of 758.167 kilograms of psychotropic substances such as tramadol, diazephan among others as well as 867.882 kilograms of cannabis sativa popularly known as Indian hemp.
Speaking at a press conference to mark the 2018 International Day Against Drug Abuse and Human Trafficking, on Thursday, Commander of NDLEA in the state, Mrs. Florence Ezeonye, disclosed that a total of 75 persons, comprising of 68 males and seven females, were arrested for drug offenses within the period under review.
Ezeonye, who disclosed further that 13 persons were convicted, while 25 drug dependent persons were counseled within the period, also expressed the determination of the Command to rid the state of drug abuse, especially with the inauguration of the state’s Drug Control Committee headed by the Secretary to the State Government, Prof. Anthony Ijohor (SAN).
While lamenting that the age range of persons involved in drug problems in the state was prevalently between 11 and 40, Ezeonye encouraged parents in the state, whose children or wards were into drug use (drug dependent persons) to seek professional drug counseling and referrals if necessary on time.
Acording to her, “Research has shown a very serious link between drug abuse and criminal behaviours and other social vices such as armed robbery, kidnapping, youth restiveness, violent extremism, communal clashes, incest, political thuggery and many more.
“Invariably, if drug supply and demand is reduced, crime will automatically reduce,” she said.
