Anambra State Assembly Calls For Increased Awareness On Adverse Effects Of Hard Drugs… 

Anambra State House of Assembly has passed a resolution urging Governor Chukwuma Soludo to direct the Commissioners for Health, Information, Youth and other relevant agencies to embark on a continuous sensitization programme on the adverse effects of hard drugs.

The resolution was sequel to a motion of urgent public importance sponsored by the member representing Njikoka two Constituency, Dr. Jude Akpua, during plenary.

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency Act established the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency to enforce laws against the cultivation, processing, sale, trafficking and use of hard drugs and to empower the Agency to investigate persons suspected to have dealings in drug and other related matters.

The legislator lamented that a recent report indicates that fourteen point four percent of people aged between fifteen and sixty-four-years abuse drugs in Nigeria, and this percentage amounts to fourteen point three million people suffering from illicit drug disorder and one in four deaths occur as a result of illicit drug use.

Dr. Akpua maintained that concerted and coordinated efforts geared towards continuous sensitization programmes on the negative effects of hard drugs to Ndi Anambra would go a long way to eradicate this menace and educate the people on the need to desist from this unhealthy practice.

On his part, the Chief whip of the House, Honourable Jude Ngaòbiri observed that the ugly trend is mostly associated with youthful population and if left unchecked, will lead to further breakdown of societal peace and tranquility as a result of drug abuse related induced crime and also increase the number of mentally deranged individuals in the State, while also depleting the state human resources.

Speaker of the House, Right Honourable Somtochukwu Udeze also urged religious leaders and parents to join in sensitizing the youths against drug abuse to safeguard their health and future.