The Katsina State Command of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency has set ablaze 6,795.2 kilogrammes of drugs, including Cannabis sativa (popularly called hemp) among other narcotic substances.

The NDLEA Public Relations Officer, Mr. Mitchell Ofoyeju, said hemp constituted 5,879kg of the burnt drugs which were valued at N120m, a statement said on Thursday.

The statement read in part, “The agency is encouraged by the huge support of the state government and other stakeholders in drug control. The total weight of the destroyed drug is 6,795.2kg. This is made up of Cannabis sativa, which is commonly referred to as hemp, with a weight of 5,879kg and psychoactive substances that weighed 916.”

The Katsina State Governor, Ibrahim Shema, who was represented by the Commissioner for Health, Alhaji Munir Talba, said the state was prepared to strengthen partnership with the NDLEA to prevent the youth from addiction to illicit drugs.

He said, “The problem of insecurity cannot be effectively tackled without addressing the problem of drug abuse. Katsina State will continue to collaborate with the NDLEA. Let me also use this opportunity to charge parents to teach their children to make healthy choices and shun drug trafficking.”

The state NDLEA Commander, Hajia Maryam Sani, promised to continue to collaborate with the Ministry of Information in sensitising the public on the devastating effects of drugs.

The agency’s Chairman, Mr. Ahmadu Giade, in his remarks, identified some negative effects of drugs such as brain damage, addiction, crime and terrorism.

Giade said, “Narcotic drugs are powerful habit forming substances that affect the brain leading to dependence. It jeopardises the cultural, political and socio-economic life of a people. Drug use decreases ethical and personal values. It increases domestic violence, loss of jobs, violence and criminality.

Some people commit crimes in search of money to sustain their drug supply while others kill and terrorise innocent citizens under the influence of drugs.”

Posted by admin on Dec 4 2014. Filed under Headlines, NDLEA (Anti-Drug Agency), State News. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. You can leave a response or trackback to this entry