The Federal Government of Nigeria, has rejected the call for the Legalization of cannabis, a plant with psychoactive properties knowns as cannabis sativa and Indica ruderalis
Akwa Ibom State Commander, National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, Mrs. Obot Bassey, made the statement, when members of the Federated Chapel of the Nigeria Union of Journalists, Akwa Ibom State Council NUJ, paid a familiarization visit to the agency office at the State Headquarters, 291 Nwaniba road, Uyo, Akwa Ibom State.
Mrs. Bassey who decried the prevalence involvement of the youth in drug abuse, which has taken a wide and frightening dimensions in the State and Nigeria in general, stressed the need for relevant authorities to double efforts in reducing drug addiction and abuse to the berest minimum before the upcoming 2023 general election.
The NDLEA Boss said the mobility to get into the rural area and large rehabilitation centre with facilities to treat the victims are the most challenges confronting the Agency and made appeals to individuals, groups, and corporate bodies to make assistance available to the agency to help curb the menace in the state.
Mrs.Bassey, called on the Media Practitioners to partner with NDLEA, in sensitizing Akwa Ibomites about the adverse effects of drug-abuse.
Earlier, the Chairman of the Federated Chapel, Comrade Nsibiet John while intimated the State NDLEA Commander said the Members of the Chapel and by extension NUJ in Akwa Ibom State Council, shared in the agony that may faced the Agency, which necessitated the farmiliarization visit and appreciated Mrs. Obot Bassey for the ongoing perimeter fencing work and other projects.
Comrade John thank Agency Boss for giving the delegation of the Chapel audience despite her busy schedules and pledged the chapel’s readiness to carry the negative effects of drug abuse messages to the populace.
He informed the Agency that Federated Chapel, a flagship of the NUJ, Akwa Ibom State Council, sobbed about the high figure of drug abuse reported on the pages of newspapers as it concerns young people of the State.
