NDLEA, MDRF decry rate of drug abuse among students, youths in Suleja
The Niger State National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) Suleja Command has decried the level of destruction caused by drug abuse among students and youths in the area.
The Assistant Superintendent of Narcotics of NDLEA Suleja command, Saddam Solomon, made this known during a seminar on the War Against Drug Abuse organized by a non-governmental organization (NGO), Michael Dato Relief Foundation (MDRF), in conjunction with the Agency in Suleja.
He explained that for this reason, the Agency moved from school to school to discourage students from experimenting with or engaging in drugs.
“The use of illicit drugs has ruined the lives of several students,” adding that “those who are lucky to survive are now undergoing rehabilitation,” Solomon stated.
In her presentation, the President of the Foundation, Helen Umar, said MDRF has distributed educational items to over 200 students and youths in the Suleja local government area of Niger State on the dangers of drug abuse and other vices.
She noted, “My joy is to be able to help the needy, youths, and students. The aim is to equip them with information to better their character, morals, and attitude. It gives me a lot of joy. Our collaboration is part of our efforts to curb the menace of drug abuse in the Suleja area.”
Umar explained that some of their programmes include medical outreaches, monthly distribution of food items to widows and the less privileged, distribution of free exercise books and other writing materials to community-based schools, and payment of tuition fees for some children from poor homes.
Also, in a goodwill message, the Director of Social Development, Suleja LGA, Murtala Zubairu, who was represented by Staff Officer Ibrahim Paiko, called on youths not to engage in any form of abuse, saying, “A lot of students have destroyed their future as a result of abuse and use of illicit drugs.”
Some of the students who spoke called on youths not to engage in the abuse of drugs but to seek medical attention before getting any drugs.
Highlights of the event were the presentation of educational items to various schools in Suleja.
NDLEA, MDRF decry rate of drug abuse among students, youths in Suleja
