The Special Assistant to the Ebonyi State government on Drug Control, Hon Mark Onu has said that the government has intensified the fight against illicit drug consumption with campaigns for the 2023 general elections approaching.
Onu said this in an interview, noting that most political parties use youths to prosecute their campaigns as the youths would want to be intoxicated to impress their pay masters.
“We have consulted relevant agencies such as the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) among others for effective collaboration to check illicit drug consumption especially at this electioneering period.
He noted that his office had ensured the arrest of defaulters of illicit drug consumption but the figures would not be made public.
“Our emphasis is not on arrests but counselling on the negative effects of illicit drug consumption on the individual’s health and the society.
He noted that his office enlightens people that illicit drugs have adverse effects on the people’s health and when it becomes extremely adverse, leads to mental disorders.
Onu said that his office had consulted the authorities of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) on checking the the supply of illicit drugs to the state.
“We discovered that most illicit drugs are brought to the state from neighbouring states and we have taken proactive steps to curb the trend.
“We discovered that a particular dealer of methamphetamine (mkpurummiri) for instance resided at Amasiri in Afikpo North Local Government Area of the state.
“We further discovered that he actually operates from Osso in Afikpo North LGA and gets the illicit drug consignment through motorcycles from neighbouring Abia.
“We advise the youths to stay away from drugs to achieve their life ambitions.