By Pwanagba Agabus, Jos
The Chief Supritendent of Narcotics of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Mangu LGA of Plateau State, Ku’ulyidam Hassan, has called on communities in Plateau State to always report cases of drug abuse by youths in their areas to the agency so that they can intervene accordingly.
She noted that drug abuse is one of the main propeller of crises in the various communities and the state at large which has led to loss of thousands of lives and properties worth billions of Naira over the years.
Hassan made the call in Barkin Ladi local government area of the state at a dialogue programme organised by Pastoral Resolve (PARE) to address drug/substance abuse among youths.
She encouraged the people not to be afraid of calling their attention to drug abuse issues, as it is not only arrests they make, but that they also enlighten the youths on the dangers of drug abuse, among other interventions to free the society of drug abuse.
Hassan stressed that if the issue of drug abuse among youths can be tackled, the incessant violent conflicts in the state will drastically reduce and the most needed peace will begin to prevail.
The theme of the programme was on ‘drug abuse as a driver of conflict’, and the participants were drawn from respective Community Initiatives to Promote Peace (CIPP) communities in the LGAs.
And the participants consisted of youths who were formerly into drugs, but have turn a new leaf. The youths also shared their experiences of when they were abusing drugs and pledged never to go back to drugs anymore.
Meanwhile, the concept note for the programme read: “Community Initiatives to Promote Peace (CIPP) is a five-year United States Agency for International Development (USAID) funded Project implemented by a consortium of five partners in the States of Benue, Kaduna, Kano, Katsina, Kogi and Plateau.
“Mercy Corps leads the CIPP consortium consisting of The Pastoral Resolve (PARE); Interfaith Mediation Center (IMC); Savannah Center for Diplomacy, Democracy and Development (SCDDD) and Africa Radio and Drama Association (ARDA).
“CIPP is designed to empower communities to prevent and respond to violence and violent extremism by strengthening key skills and relationships, and to foster an enabling environment for peace through policy advocacy, media outreach, and linkages to development programmes.”
