NDLEA, NGO Train Security Operatives, Caregivers On Drug Abuse
Worried by the flood of mentallyderanged persons in Uyo, the Akwaibom State capital, Ikot Ekpene and other local government areas, the Akwa State government has accused neighbouring states of dumping their mentally ill patients across the borders into the state.
Our Correspondent learnt that following the recent discovery, the administration of Governor Udom Emmanuel has taken sweeping steps to stop the proliferation of lunatics across the three senatorial districts of the state.
"The state government has sent strong warning to families and persons in neighbouring states, who are in the habit of bringing and dumping their mentally-challenged ones in the state to refrain from the habit forthwith," the commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Welfare, Dr Ini Adiakpan said.
The warning was handed down during the flag-off of an exercise tagged: “Evacuation of Vagrant
Psychotic Persons from the Streets of Uyo, Ikot Ekpene and Eket Senatorial Districts."
Speaking at the flag-off ceremony along Atiku Abubakar Way, Uyo, where some lunatics were apprehended by a special task force team, Adiakpan lamented that "upon all previous efforts by government and huge resources invested, it is embarrassing to see the number of insane people on the streets in the state increasing by the day, thus becoming an eye sore and nuisance to residents."
The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) and a non-governmental organisation, the Advocate for Global Peace Forum International, have trained security operatives and caregivers on prevention and management of drug abuse in Owerri.
Imo State acting state commander of NDLEA, Abubakar Wali, appealed for synergy in intelligence sharing among security agencies.
He charged every security agency to support the efforts of the NDLEA under the leadership of the agency's chairman, Brig- Gen
Buba Marwa (rtd) to rid the nation of drug abuse.
On his part, the assistant commander of Narcotics with the NDLEA, Mr Lamuwa Shehu described drug abuse as a curable disease which patients could get well with adequate care.
He called on senior officers to observe the mental health of their subordinates because according to him, everyone was struggling with their own peculiar challenge.
In a goodwill message, Governor Hope Uzodinma commended the NDLEA for its many giant leaps in drug abuse control in the state and Nigeria at large.
Uzodinma, who was represented the state's commissioner for Security Affairs, Dr Ugorji Okechukwu, promised to renovate the NDLEA's rehabilitation facility in the state.
A resource person, Mrs Maria Ilubughi, advised parents and caregivers not to encourage the use of drugs by sending their children to buy drugs, but to acquire knowledge about drugs and be involved in the daily activities of the children.
The event attracted officials of the Secondary Education Management Board in Imo, led by Mrs Dorathy Utazi as well as 75 teachers, counsellors and administrators of public secondary schools. by