By Ibironke Ariyo
Retired Chairman of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Brigadier General. Buba Marwa urged youths to stay away from illegal drugs and focus on tomorrow’s leadership.
Marwa said this during a thanksgiving service at the National Christian Center (NCC) to commemorate the International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking or World Drug Day (WDD) on Sunday in Abuja.
The theme of Weapons of Mass Destruction 2024 is: “The evidence is clear; Invest in prevention.”
He said the matter was timely, adding that the NDLEA was doing everything in its power to prevent drug abuse and illegal trafficking across the country.
Marwa, represented by the agency’s secretary Shadrach Haruna, said the main message of DMD 2024 is prevention.
According to him, young people should say no to drug use. And this is where prevention comes in.
“There is nothing good that comes from illegal drugs. It destroys you as a person; Destroy their families and their communities.
“Young people should stop using illegal drugs, not give in to peer pressure, and not think that drugs are the best thing they can do.”
“That’s because if you use drugs you ruin your future.
“That’s why prevention is the last thing this year. We should all invest in prevention because stopping people from using drugs helps.
“The country is for the young and they are the leaders of tomorrow. That’s why we want them to avoid drugs and focus,” he said.
Marwa said the NDLEA is doing a lot to invest in prevention, adding that the agency believes in helping everyone, including the church, communities, and families.
He said the agency has always relied on God’s guidance.
He emphasized that the church and mosque are working to convey the message of avoiding drugs.
“If we can invest in interventions, I think we will save a lot of lives. “We know how many lives have been destroyed by drugs,” he said.
Marwa encouraged the officers and men at the scene to work hard so as not to lose heart.
He also encouraged them not to be afraid of anyone who said, “If you work for a good cause, nothing will harm you.”
Rev. Mike Agbon, Resident Chaplain of the National Christian Center (NCC), said religious organizations should be able to play a major role in the area of awareness.
Agbon said there is also a need to adopt a spiritual approach to the rehabilitation of drug addicts.
According to him, whether we like it or not, drug addiction is reaching epidemic proportions in our country and we need to take comprehensive measures against it.
“NDLEA is doing a commendable job dealing with drugs, and cartels and arresting all the barons.
“The church must face this situation.
“We should be able to rehabilitate the majority of drug addicts and reintegrate them into society.
“I think the spiritual approach will make a difference because I think drug addiction is a spiritual thing,” he said.
The cleric, therefore, appealed to the NDLEA to take time to reflect on the need to involve the Church so that synergies can be created, especially in the areas of rehabilitation.
He said most pastors trained as pastors can help in the area of guidance and counseling.
“We need to reach this level of synergy and solve this problem. We all have to lend a hand.
“We need to work together as much as possible. Only this synergy can solve or stop the alarming level or increase in drug addiction in our society,” he explained.
