President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has declared support for the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) in its fight against substance abuse and illicit drug trafficking.
The federal government supports NDLEA ramped-up efforts to prevent the Nigerian populace from falling prey to the drug scourge.
The president stated this on the occasion of the International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking, otherwise known as World Drug Day Wednesday at the State House Conference Centre, Abuja.
Speaking on the theme of the day, which is “The Evidence is Clear: Invest in Prevention,” the president, represented by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator George Akume, enjoined all and sundry to support the war against drug abuse initiative, otherwise known as the WADA campaign, launched by NDLEA three years ago.
“I commend and urge everyone to redouble their efforts to combat drug abuse and trafficking in the country. On this score, I wish to reassure you of this administration’s support.
“The Renewed Hope Agenda places the youth at the centre of its focus. Therefore, we ensure that our young people are protected from anything that could derail their future or destroy their potential,” he said.
While saying that illicit drugs and substances have wreaked havoc on individuals, families, communities and countries worldwide, the president said: “In the face of such a formidable challenge, prevention is the most potent weapon that we can deploy. Prevention not only saves lives, it also saves resources that would otherwise be spent on treatment and rehabilitation. It empowers individuals to make informed choices, promotes healthy lifestyles and create resilient communities capable of withstanding the pressures of drug abuse.
“Investing in prevention is not merely a moral imperative, a prudent way of safeguarding our future. By allocating resources towards evidence-based prevention programmes, we can break the vicious cycle of drug abuse and protect our youth from falling prey to the menace.”
