Governor Douye Diri de Bayelsa said his administration would spare no effort in tackling drug trafficking and addiction in the state.
Diri made the statement on Sunday in commemoration of the International Day Against Drug Abuse and Trafficking 2021 at the Peace Park in Yenagoa.
The Nigerian News Agency (NAN) reports that the theme for International Drug Abuse Day 2021 was “Share the facts, save lives”.
The governor, who was represented by his deputy, Mr. Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo, said the state government had established the Bayelsa Drug Abuse Prevention and Rehabilitation Committee to curb illegal drug trafficking.
Diri, who observed that drug abuse is not limited to young people, stressed the need for all stakeholders to synergize their efforts to tackle the threat.
He urged the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, Bayelsa Command, to collaborate with the National Drug Abuse Prevention and Rehabilitation Committee, to share facts about the social threat in order to save lives .
The governor noted that drug abuse was not specific to any particular age, race, religion or gender.
He noted that everyone was exposed to the dangers posed by social disease in society.
Diri, who described drug addiction as a catalyst for crime and criminality, warned those who commit the act to refrain from it in their best interests or face the wrath of the law.
His words: “Drug addiction is not just limited to our young people. We should share the facts about drug abuse. May our young people avoid drug abuse.
“The government has established the Bayelsa Drug Prevention and Rehabilitation Committee. That tells you that we are putting our 11 first to tackle this drug threat.
“There will be no room for drug trafficking; no place for the marketing of drugs, and no place for the consumption of drugs.
“The committee has been indicted and as soon as possible it will have offices in all local government areas of the state and as we move forward we will be distributing it to all constituencies.
“Those who engage in it as resellers or consumers should give up this harmful practice because there will be no hiding place for any of them; Our crack team will smoke them, ”he said.
Previously, the chair of the Bayelsa Drug Abuse Prevention and Rehabilitation Committee, Dr Faith Izibenua, described World Drug Addiction Day 2021 as a call to action for all to share facts about drug addiction.
Izibenua, however, cautioned everyone to get the right information from the right sources to share.
He added that the United Nations World Drug Report 2021 on drug and substance abuse indicated that 200 million people were involved in drug abuse worldwide.
Highlights of the celebration included a walk on the governor-led road from Imgbi Junction in metropolitan Yenagoa to Peace Park. (NAN)
