The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) in Taraba State has called for stronger collaboration to combat drug abuse and trafficking after seizing 2,530 kilogrammes of illicit drugs and arresting 382 suspects for drug-related offences.
The agency said the growing abuse of cannabis, tramadol, codeine-based syrup, methamphetamine and other psychoactive substances poses a serious threat to public health, security and economic development in the state.
Taraba State NDLEA Commander, Javanson Kwalma, said drug trafficking networks continue to expand despite efforts by governments and international organisations to curb the menace.
“Drug trafficking networks continue to expand their operations across borders, exploiting technological advancements and weak governance structures. The communities continue to suffer the devastating consequences of drug abuse, including addiction, mental health challenges, family disintegration, crime, violence, and loss of productive manpower,” Kwalma said.
He added that the widespread misuse of illicit substances continues to undermine the social and economic development of Taraba State.
The Galadima of the Muri Emirate, Tukur Tukur, described the level of drug abuse in the state as alarming and urged the government to declare a state of emergency on illicit drug consumption and trafficking.
“We at the community level are at the receiving end of illicit drug consumption, and it is very devastating and menacing and directly affects the nerve system of our society,” he said.
Tukur disclosed that traditional institutions are working on a strategy to collaborate with the NDLEA by establishing vigilante groups to provide intelligence on locations where illicit drugs are sold and consumed.
Representing Governor Agbu Kefas, the Senior Special Assistant on Drug Abuse, Sale Audu, said the state government is determined to tackle drug abuse and protect young people from its harmful effects.
“Drug abuse has become one of the greatest challenges confronting not just Taraba, but Nigeria in general; it destroys lives, weakens families, fuels criminal activities, undermines productivity, and deprives the youths of their future,” Audu said.
He said the increasing involvement of young people in drug abuse remains a major concern and stressed that substance abuse does not provide lasting solutions to life’s challenges but instead leads to addiction, ill health, poverty, violence and, in many cases, premature death.