As the world marks the 2025 United Nations International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking, stakeholders have called for greater investment in drug abuse prevention, in line with this year’s theme: “The Evidence is Clear: Invest in Prevention.”
While speaking on the essence of the day, the Staff Officer in-charge of Drug Demand Reduction and Training in Anambra Command of National Drug Law Enforcement Agency , NDLEA, Madam Priscilla Onyema emphasized the need for collective efforts in combating drug abuse, stating that “prevention is better than cure” and urged individuals, groups, and government to support the command’s fight by helping to upgrade its rehabilitation center, providing more operational vehicles, printing sensitization materials, and sponsoring its radio awareness programs.
On his part, the Staff Officer in charge of Administration in the NDLEA Anambra State Command, Mr. Kenneth Anosike while identifying youth idleness as one of the major contributor to drug abuse and trafficking, appealed to wealthy individuals to channel resources into empowering the youth, urging parents and community leaders to guide young people away from drug use, and to support the NDLEA with timely and accurate information to help rid communities of illicit drug dealers.
Also speaking, the President General of Urum community in Awka North Local Government Area, Sir Felix Oranye, decried the devastating impact of hard drugs on young people in Anambra and Nigeria at large, advising the youths to prioritize their future by staying away from drugs, even as he called on government at all levels to create sustainable job opportunities to keep the youths meaningfully engaged.
