By Ibironke Ariyo
Abuja – The Vanguard Against Drug Abuse (VGADA), a Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO), says it will collaborate with the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) FCT command, in the fight against drug abuse.
The President of the organisation, Dr Hope Abraham disclosed this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Friday in Abuja.
He explained that the collaboration aims to successfully curtail the drug menace in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
Abraham said that the collaboration had become necessary due to the rising cases of illegal consumption of prohibited substances, especially among youths.
“Substance abuse has been on the rise in recent times and the rising case in Abuja has called for concern to the general public.
“We want to urge the NDLEA to help in the fight against drug abuse by organising more workshops and sensitisation programmes to alert our targeted audience on the menace,” Abraham said.
He claimed that the organisation had, on its part, embarked on occasional sensitisation programmes to the dangers of drug abuse in various schools in and across the country.
Abraham said that recently it organised a programme in Kogi State University (KSU), Anyigba, where dangers of drug abuse were emphasised at length.
He, however, noted that the responsibility of sensitising youths to the dangers of illicit drug consumption could not be left to the NGO and the public without the help of the NDLEA.
“We cannot do this on our own without involving the NDLEA to help in the fight and see to the end of drug abuse in Nigeria,” he said.
He advised parents to monitor their wards and children to know the kind of company they kept, adding that it would help to reduce the rate of the abuse.
The president of the organisation also urged public spirited individuals to join hands in the fight, saying, “We must all take on this fight to safeguard our future.”
He called on the government to provide more facilities for the rehabilitation of victims of drug abuse to aid their reintegration into the society.
On his part, Mr Peter Adegbe, Public Relations Officer, NDLEA FCT command, said that the agency was willing to collaborate with the NGO and the public in the fight to curb drug abuse.
“It is a good thing to know that organisations have been working towards a drug free society by sensitising youths on drugs and its adverse effects.
“We as an agency are willing to partner to combat drug abuse both in the FCT and in other parts of the country,” he said.
