Yenagoa—Senator Douye Diri, the Executive Governor of Bayelsa State has lamented the adverse effect of drug abuse on youths in the country.
The governor who made the statement at the Chief DSP Alamieyeseigha Banquet Hall of the Government House, Yenagoa, during a Stakeholders Mega Sensitisation Campaign on Drug Abuse and Prevention, said drug abuse is destroying the future of youths in Nigeria.
In a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Daniel Alabrah, the governor called for concerted effort among stakeholders to fight drug abuse in the state.
He pointed out that his administration has set up the Bayelsa State Drug Abuse Prevention and Rehabilitation Committee and also plans to commence the construction of a psychiatric hospital to fight the scourge.
According to him, “Drugs and crime go together. The best approach to stop crime is to stop the youths from use of drugs. We all have the responsibility to check drug abuse as it is not the duty for only government.
“We will stop at nothing until all parts of Bayelsa State is free of drug abuse and its effects. We cannot afford to have our youths involved in drug abuse. Some of them are very brilliant. Rather than choosing life, they have chosen the path of death.”
Delivering their goodwill messages, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Brig.-Gen. Buba Marwa (Rtd), represented by the Director-General/Secretary, Mr. Shadrach Haruna, and the Country Representative of United Nations Office on Drug and Crime (UNODC), Mr. Oliver Stolpe, while promising to work with the state government, commended the commitment and initiatives of the governor in fighting drugs abuse.
Chairman of the Bayelsa State Drug Abuse Prevention and Rehabilitation Committee (BADAPARC), Dr. Faith Izibenua, in her remarks revealed that the committee is using school, faith and community-based approach to fight drug abuse in the state.
Prof. Helen Osinowo, in her address commended the efforts of the state government in fighting drug abuse.
She also called for the establishment of a register to strengthen the fight against drug abuse in the state.
