The Chairman/Chief Executive Officer, National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, Brig. Gen. Mohammed Buba Marwa (Rtd), has commended the Lagos State Government for the success it has recorded in its war against drug abuse, saying that the level of sanity experienced across the State is an affirmation of the present administration’s determination to tackle all forms of social problems.
Gen. Marwa gave the commendation during a working visit to Correctional Centre for Boys, Isheri, saying “I commend the Lagos State Government for the steps taken so far to sustain its fight against drug abuse. This Centre (Correctional Centre for Boys) has helped in drug reduction and rehabilitation of persons that could have become victims of drug abuse”.
He acknowledged the challenges being faced by the State Government which include inadequate Vocational Training Centres and lack of adequate funds to upgrade the available ones, noting that the Centre needs more funding because Lagos has the highest prevalence of drug abuse due to its high population.
Earlier, the Commissioner for Youth and Social Development, Mr. Segun Dawodu, represented by the Permanent Secretary, Dr Olugbenga Ayoola Aina, said that the State Government was not resting on its oars in its aggressive drive to combat drug abuse.
According to the Commissioner, within the last two years, the State Government had set up the Lagos State Kick Against Drug Abuse (LASKADA) Campaign under the Ministry of Youth and Social Development, launched 1000 Youth Walk Against Drug Abuse in the State and trained 100 Field Officers among several other interventions aimed at combating drug abuse.
The Commissioner highlighted some of the challenges confronting the Ministry to include lack of professional staff, insufficient consultants in each school, as well as inadequate and conducive auditoria in schools among several others.
Assuring the NDLEA Boss of more commitment, Mr. Dawodu said, “With dogged determination on our side and collaboration with the NDLEA, we will definitely triumph over this monster that has created fertile ground for different crimes to thrive in our society”.
Also speaking at the occasion, Dr. Adejoke Abiodun, the Consultant Psychiatrist, Isheri Correctional Centre for Boys, explained to the NDLEA and staff of the Ministry the stages that persons at the Centre were usually taken through in the process of rehabilitation.
