Abia State First Lady applauds ABSG and NDLEA in combating Illicit Drug Abuse in Abia State

In Abia State, a strong partnership between the government, the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), and local security forces is making significant strides in combating drug abuse. This collaboration was recently highlighted during the 2024 United Nations Day against Illicit Trafficking and Drug Abuse.

Mrs. Priscilla Otti, the wife of Abia State's Governor, emphasized the urgency of addressing drug abuse, citing shocking statistics: 2.5 million deaths annually in Nigeria are linked to drug abuse, with 14.4 million people falling into addiction each year. These numbers underscore the critical need for prevention efforts.

The theme of this year's event, "The Evidence is Clear: Invest in Prevention," resonated with Mrs. Otti. She stressed the importance of focusing on prevention to protect young people from the harmful effects of drug abuse. Mrs. Otti also highlighted recent developments, including the establishment of a new NDLEA office in Umuahia and Governor Alex Otti's support for rehabilitating addicts across the state.

"We are working hard to develop comprehensive strategies," Mrs. Otti stated, "to tackle this crisis and raise awareness in our communities."

Mr. Amos Adelanwa Adetunji, the state commander of NDLEA, echoed these concerns, emphasizing the global scale of the drug abuse problem and calling for unified action. He urged stakeholders, particularly medicine sellers, to stop selling drugs that harm youths.

In conclusion, the event underscored both the severity of drug abuse and Abia State's determination to confront it through coordinated efforts and community involvement. Mrs. Otti's praise for NDLEA and local security forces reflects their shared commitment to creating safer communities, free from drugs.