The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, Imo State Command, has expressed concern over the high prevalence of drug abuse and other related crimes in the state.
NDLEA said that the consumption of hard drugs in the state had doubled in the past six months in the state.
The state Commander, Reuben Ape, made the disclosure at the conferment of an Ambassadorial Award to an anti-hard drug crusader, Mike Ikeokwu, Chief Executive Officer of Boss Radio, Owerri, in recognition of his efforts in assisting the agency to fight drug intake.
Ape, who blamed the situation mainly on lack of employment and human capacity development opportunities both in the state and across the country, urged stakeholders in the state to partner in efforts aimed at tackling the menace.
He warned that if actions were not taken urgently to curb the vice, the society would struggle to maintain sanity and stability, especially among the young people and future generations.
He said, “Today we are here to honour Mr. Mike Ikeokwu for his fervent media campaign through his medium, Boss Radio, against drug abuse and other related vices, especially among the youths in Imo State. From our records, Boss Radio runs a jingle on this over 100 times per day and this for us deserves commendation.
“We are also aware that through his Havana Group of Companies, over 500 of our youths are gainfully employed. I can tell you that most of our youths who were lured or who engage in illicit drugs intake was because they are frustrated as a result of lack of meaningful source of livelihood and economic stability.
“We at the NDLEA are seriously worried because in Imo, the rate of illicit drugs intake has risen astronomically in recent times. So, we are also using this opportunity to call on the stakeholders to join us in this fight to save our society from this threat.
“They should emulate Mr. Mike Ikeokwu and other Nigerians who are genuinely committed to this fight because we need all hands on deck to get the desired result.”
Responding, Ikeokwu appreciated the NDLEA for the recognition and assured of his continued support and commitment for a better Nigeria and human society at large.
“Rest assured that we are very committed to this fight and we will do everything humanly possible to make sure we win because when we win, Nigeria has won.”