The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) and international NGO, Search for Common Ground, have joined forces to combat rising drug abuse in Delta State through a public sensitisation campaign.
Speaking during the awareness exercise on Friday in Asaba, the State Deputy Commandant for Operations and Training at NDLEA, Mr Victor Isibor, said the initiative is aimed at educating the public, especially young people, on the dangers of substance abuse and its impact on communities.
“This awareness is part of our commitment to curb the growing menace of substance abuse that is affecting our communities,” he stated.
Isibor raised concerns over the increasing involvement of women in drug use, describing the trend as “a disturbing phenomenon”. He said the current ratio of women to men involved in drug abuse stands at 1:4, calling for immediate action.
Mr Sunny Dada, Media Coordinator for Search for Common Ground, also identified drug abuse and cybercrime as major drivers of insecurity and violence in Delta.
He said the campaign, titled ‘Common Ground Journalism Initiative’, is being implemented by journalists trained in conflict-sensitive reporting under the organisation’s broader project, ‘Community-Centred Approach to Transforming Criminality and Violence in the Niger Delta’.
“Drug abuse often leads young people into a cycle of crime and violence. Coupled with the rise in cybercrime, these issues pose a serious threat to peaceful coexistence,” Dada said.
He commended the collaboration between civil society, NDLEA, the Nigeria Police, and youth groups, saying such joint efforts are vital for stimulating behavioural change, particularly among the youth.
The campaign was supported by the Delta State Government. The Wife of the Governor, Mrs Tobore Oborevwori, had earlier called for greater collective action to address the crisis, lamenting that many families are losing their children to drugs. She pledged support for efforts aimed at curbing the problem.
The awareness drive included a road show through key streets of Asaba, where participants displayed banners with anti-drug and anti-cybercrime messages, and distributed educational materials to the public.
(NAN)