Worried by threat pose on the about 7.2 million population, the Akwa Ibom State Governor, Mr. Udom Emmanuel, has expressed dismay at the socio-economic implications to the youths, noting that drugs indulgence have given way to high level anti-social behaviours including cultism, rape, killings and other violent crimes.
inaugurating the 13-member committee chaired by his wife and first lady of the state, Mrs. Martha Emmanuel, the governor charged members to curb the menace of illicit drug use and abuse, noting that the attendant consequences in the society have become alarmingly grave.
Other members include, Mrs. Esther Ukpe of the ministry of economic development, who is expected to serve as secretary, to work with three advisory members from specialised institutions as well as eight other members drawn from relevant agencies of government.
The committee, our correspondent garthered, is instituted in line with a federal government policy for an agency complementary to the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), to be replicated in every state of the federation.
Governor Emmanuel, who lauded his wife for the giant strides recorded through her pet project – Family Empowerment And Youth Re-orientation Path Initiative (FEYReP), bothering on the provision of succour to the less-privileged members of the society, cancer patients and gender based violence, stressed the such feats recommend her for the new responsibility.
He acknowledged the effort of the state commander of NDLEA, who is also a member of the committee, in combating drug-related crimes in the state.
He said, “So let’s take this as a major burden, in our heart, if we stamp out drugs in our communities today there won’t be armed robbery, there won’t be kidnapping, anybody who goes on kidnapping or rubbery is under the influence of drugs.
“So please let us try as much as practicable to minimize this. All hands must be on deck, let us not spare anybody, you are not safe because the day your child falls into that thing you are finished because all your suffering on that child is gone. No child on drugs can be useful to a parent.
“For NDLEA, a job well done means more job to be done. Let us know where those who sell these drugs are, those who promote it, those who sell it and those who use it. We can fortify your team. We have a crack team that cuts across all armed forces we can go after them.”
The Committee, according to the governor is to liaise with NDLEA and relevant agencies towards scaling awareness for prevention of drug abuse in the state, support the framework for all drugs reduction activities, advise government in the intra state intervention options, generate data and report best drug prevention programmes, and other activities that may be deemed fit and necessary to minimize the influence, impact and effect of drugs abuse in the society.
Dr Martha Emmanuel emphasized that the committee would make effort to sensitize drug traffickers and abuse with the intent to salvage or rehabilitate, where necessary, and to otherwise ensure adequate legal actions against unrepentant drug abusers.
