500,000 Nigerians Addicted To Heroine – Report

The United Nations (UN) reports has revealed that over 500,000 Nigerians are addicted to heroine.

The UN revelation was made at an event  marking this year’s International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking.

In a similar vein the Commander of National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) in Rivers State, Mr Jude Ekwure blamed this on the lack of equipment and logistics to effectively combat the menace of drug abuse in view of the seriousness of  the matter.

Ekwure also stated that the agency was battling drugs on two trout’s such supply control and demand reduction.

“We are not only involved in supply control, we’re also involved in demand reduction. In supply control, we go after the dealers and arrest and prosecute them, while demand control has to do with individuals that are already hooked, that addition is not good”, he stated.

He further explained that the operations to the agency were being hampered by logistical constraints, adding that the agency was committed to fight drug abuse inspite of the constraints.

“If the state and local governments can extend a little assistance to us, we’ll do a lot better because the incidence of drug abuse in this place is high we’re not asking for money”, he emphasized.

At an earlier event, where the command embarked on a walk to sensitise the people on the dangers of the destructive substances and to create awareness on the presence of the agency, the state commander lamented the high rate of illicit drug trading, trafficking and use in the state.

He disclosed that 50 persons were currently in their custody for illicit drug trafficking offences while eight were arrested for illicit drug dependence.

He attributed the high rate of illicit drug use to the cosmopolitan nature of the state.

He noted that apart from cannanbis (marijuana), which comes into the state from neighbouring states that cultivate it, use of other drugs like cocaine and heroine in the state were on increase.

He also revealed that the NDLEA in collaboration with the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration (NAFDAC), were working together to ensure that the state was rid of drugs and expressed confidence that his men were capable of combating the fight.

On his part, the State Director, National Orientation Agency (NOA), Chief Andy Nweye, stated, “from what we have learnt today, it is clear that the agency lacks equipment and the political will to effectively fight drugs has not been put into place”.

Tonye Nria-Dappa