NDLEA decries ‘alarming’ rate of drug abuse in Cross River

The Deputy Commander, Narcotics, at the National Drug Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Mrs Nandi Ada has decried the high rate of drug abuse in Cross River State.

The NDLEA official spoke during a courtesy visit to Dr Henry Egbe Ayuk, the state Commissioner for Health over the weekend.

“The issue of drug abuse in Cross River State in recent times proves to be alarming from the reports of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA).

“To this end, the NDLEA has been working tooth and nail to curb this menace and reduce it to the barest minimum by running enlightenment campaigns in schools, radio and television, jingles, etc,” she said.

The NDLEA official also raised concerns over the absence of rehabilitation centers in the state and stressed urgent need to establish one or more rehabilitation facilities.

She called on the state government to revamp the drug control committee and strengthen it to achieve the aim of discouraging drug abuse in the society.

Ada equally decried the slow paced operations of the state drug control committee.

The Commissioner for Health, Ayuk, spoke of the need for synergy between the agency and the government.

He said such synergy has become imperative given the growing rate of drug abuse, especially among younger people.

Ayuk requested for a concept note from the NDLEA highlighting the body’s expectations from government, assuring of commitment to tackling drug abuse and other issues that are capable of debasing the moral fabric of the society.