FROM RAHILA ABDULLAHI, KADUNA
Zonal Commander, National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, Momodu Sule has appealed to journalists to help in the war against drug abuse.
Sule heads Zone F, which comprises Kaduna and Katsina States.
While on advocacy visit to Nigeria Union of Journalists, NUJ, Kaduna State Council, yesterday, on the challenges of drug abuse and trafficking in the state, Sule underscored the role of the media in the fight against drug abuse.
He disclosed that the agency had set up a committee to work with the Kaduna State government, adding that it is awaiting inauguration by the governor.
“We are here on advocacy visit to partner and work together with journalists to bring down the menace of drug abuse by informing the society of its dangers.
“We believe that the media has the critical role in ensuring that the society is well informed of this danger.
“We know that the Kaduna State government has an agency called Kaduna State Bureau for Substance Abuse Prevention and Treatment, KABUSA, that deals with substance abuse, but there is a difference between drug abuse and substance abuse. Substance abuse is about alcoholic abuse, cigarette abuse, etc, but drug abuse deals with drugs like cocaine, marijuana, tramadol, etc.
“It is dehumanising to see parents taking their children to rehabilitation centres because drugs has affected their mental health.
“So we are calling on journalists to keep informing and educating members of the society in order to stem the rising tide of drug abuse in the state,” the commander said.
Responding, Kaduna State NUJ Chairman, Hajiya Asma’u Halilu said “you are at the right place because journalists are the watchdogs of the society. As journalists, we will join the agency to fight the war against drug abuse for a better society.”
Highlight of the brief event was the decoration of the NUJ chairman with the Badge of War Against Drug Abuse by the zonal commander.
