RSG, NDLEA Partner On Drug Monitoring In LGAs …As Agency Recovers727kg Banned Drugs

In a move to check crime and other social vices in local government areas, the Rivers State Government has promised to support the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) in its drug surveillance efforts at the grassroots area.
The Rivers State Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike, made the pledge when he played host to the state Commander of NDLEA, Ambassador Rachel Shelleng in Government House, Port Harcourt, at the weekend.
The governor admitted that drug use by the youth and miscreants was responsible for crime surge in the local government areas, but described as pathetic the poor facilities and funding making it difficult for the agency to achieve its objectives.
Against this backdrop, Wike declared that the state government will continue to support all security agencies to ensure that they are better equipped to fight crime.
He said: “Drug addiction is a huge challenge. The influence of drugs in the level of crime in the society cannot be over-emphasised. We shall support the NDLEA to deal with the situation”.
He described the operational situation of NDLEA as pathetic, noting that the absence of operational vehicles and a functional rehabilitation centre was a sad development.
Wike announced that the state government will help the NDLEA set up a rehabilitation centre in addition to presenting some operational vehicles.
Earlier, the Rivers State Commander of the NDLEA, Ambassador Rachel Shelleng, had said that despite the challenges being faced by the agency, it has succeeded in fighting drug usage and addiction in the state.
She said in the course of the last one year, the NDLEA has arrested drug peddlers, drug offenders and rehabilitated persons dependent on drugs.
The Rivers State commander of the NDLEA appealed to the governor to support the command with operational vehicles, and also called on the governor to support NDLEA in constructing a standard rehabilitation centre.
Meanwhile, the state Commander of the NDLEA, Ambassador Rachel Shelleng, has disclosed that between January and August this year, the agency recovered over 727 kilogrammes of drugs, arrested 260 drug peddlers and convicted 50 persons.
She expressed worry over the high rise in drug use, pointing out the need for the establishment of a drug rehabilitation centre in the state.
Shelleng maintained that once a drug rehabilitation centre is established, it will help re-orientate and channel youth energies into meaningful activities.
“It’s better to cut the root of the disease than cure it. Some 90 per cent of crime can be checked, if something urgent is done now,” she emphasized.