WAR AGAINST DRUG ABUSE IN LEKKI – MEETING WITH THE NDLEA AREA COMMANDER, ACN JUDE OJUKWU.
MAJOR HIGHLIGHTS
1. NDLEA is the Agency in charge of coordinating and enforcing drug laws in the country.
2.
The use of drugs and narcotics in the Lekki Peninsula is getting to an
alarming rate, especially among youths and all hands must be on deck, to
check the menace in our society.
3. Some of the major reasons for
the increase include trafficking of drugs by youths in our community, as
a result of the promotion of drug culture by our young entertainers and
some social media influencers, mostly residing in Lekki, peer pressure,
unemployment and other socio-economic factors were identified for the
alarming increase.
4. Most of these drug dealers live in gated
estates in Lekki and store drugs in warehouse in our community. This is
due to the believe that the NDLEA can not easily get into Lekki Estates,
so the cooperation of executives of Estate Associations are needed.
5.
The operations of NDLEA are mostly hindered due to the time wasted at
Estate gates when operations are being carried out on drug carriers and
traffickers.
6. The NDLEA identity card serves as a warrant to
conduct a search anywhere in the country that is suspected of having
illegal drugs. Easier access is therefore requested from Estates, on
presentation of NDLEA Identity, to reduce the numerous occurrences of
escape of drug dealers, while the NDLEA team is trying to access and
enter the Estates.
7. The contact details of the NDLEA office and the
NDLEA Area Commander would be made available in case of confirmation or
any verification or for the provision of information on suspected drug
activities, in our Estates and communities.
8. It is important that
Estates know the occupants of houses and provide information in case of
drug dealing and cooperate with the Agency, to eradicate this menace in
our community. The Area Commander recommended that a KYN Operation (
Know your Neighbour) is essential so that any suspected traffickers or
addicted Users can be identified and properly investigated.
9.
Short-let accommodations were identified as major abodes where drug
dealers usually rent, to carry out their nefarious activities and it is
important for Estates and communities, to monitor such abodes, for any
suspicious drug activities. This should be reported to the NDLEA quickly
for investigation and the Agency is promising total confidentiality for
such reports.
10. Dispatch Riders have also been identified as
major traffickers, usually used to smuggle drugs into Estates. The
Security of Estates must be empowered to check the content for delivery,
when suspicious.
11.Drug use has numerous negative impacts
including the increase in crimes like domestic violence, rape,
robberies, etc in Lekki and the state, as a whole
12. The law allows
NDLEA to prosecute drug dealers but lately, rather than prosecute, they
provide assistance and advice on rehabilitation, depending on the
situation, to help cure and treat drug users.
13. NDLEA is working
tirelessly to ensure a drug-free state but it needs all the support they
can get from everybody, by reporting drug related activities to the
NDLEA, for quick intervention. NDLEA depend on information from the
public mostly, to carry out their operations effectively.
14.
Parents and Guardians should be observant of their children or wards.
Some of the major tips to watch out for may include unusual behaviors
including inappropriate anger, theft/stealing, slurred speech, in some
cases, etc,
The President of LERSA commended the effort of ACN
Jude Ojukwu, the Area Commander of NDLEA Ajah for his presentation and
the impact of NDLEA in the State, in the continuous battle to eradicate
drug dealers and users in the community. He added that the Association
and member estates will support the NDLEA, in this war against drugs.
According
to the presentation from Tranquil and Quest, the Mental Health Service
Provider, the facility in Lekki supports individuals with mental or drug
issues with effective mental health or substance abuse treatment and
rehabilitation, in a comfortable, safe and supportive environment,
within an integrated system of care.
RESPONSES DURING THE QUESTIONS & ANSWERS SESSION.
1. Marijuana is still considered an illegal drug, and it is still prohibited in the country.
2.
The NDLEA I.D. card serves as a warrant to search and they can be
verified with a call to the NDLEA numbers, to be provided to members.
3.
NDLEA has a unit saddled with the responsibility for enlightening
people and our youths, on the dangerous effect of drug use. The Agency
also work with the National Orientation Agency to provide the necessary
awareness on the negative effect of drug use. NDLEA will officially
launch as campaign on “War against Drug abuse on this axisâ€, very soon
4.
Schools are also encouraged to teach children on the negative effect of
substance and drug use and can collaborate with the NDLEA, by inviting
the Agency to carry out their awareness programs in Schools and
Colleges.
5. Parents were advised to be vigilant and when they
notice any slight change in behavior of their children, maybe as a
result of the secret use of substances or drugs, they should seek help
quickly to stop addiction rather than the common, denial attitude.
6.
Estates should amend their existing rules and regulations, to empower
their security guards to carry out searches on dispatch riders or any
suspicious vehicle, accessing their estates.
7. More awareness on
the negative impact on drugs are essential but for the lack of adequate
funds to increase the medium for such awareness programs.
LERSA SECRETARIAT
