The Frank Ekpemupolo Esq-led anti-drug committee set up by the Gbaramatu Youth Council, GYC, has partnered with the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, in its attempt to intensify the war against drug abuse among the youths as well as eradicate the social scourge in Gbaramatu Kingdom, Warri South-West Local Government Area of Delta State.

Ekpemupolo Esq. disclosed the development to PENGlobal Community after leading a delegation of the anti-drug committee in an official visit to the NDLEA Area Commander and Assistant Commander of Narcotics, Ishaku Dabara, at the Warri Area Command on Tuesday, July 2, 2024.

According to anti-drug committee chairman, Ekpemupolo Esq., the familiarization visit is to inform the federal government agency in the state on the existence of the committee and to seek for ways the committee can collaborate with the agency to combat drug abuse in the kingdom.

Ekpemupolo Esq. also sought for the presence of the NDLEA in the kingdom, especially at the Nigeria Maritime University, NMU, as well as solicit for the programmes of the agency that are geared towards creating awareness on the dangers of drug abuse.

"The visit is to introduce our anti-drug committee to the NDLEA and intimate it of the given assignment that focuses on combating drug abuse and its related activities. The NDLEA, as professionals in the area of combating drug abuse, we have to meet the agency to see how we can collaborate together to combat this menace.

"We have a maritime university in our kingdom but we are not feeling the impact of the fight against drug abuse. It seems like those who have been chased out of the urban areas because of this particular issue use our communities as a hideout," he further alleged.

Speaking further he said, "We understand that this terrain (Gbaramatu) is within the jurisdiction of the NDLEA. But it seems that there is no measures being taken aside community outcry on drug abuse.

"So, we are facing a very serious problem in our communities. The rate at which drugs is used is becoming something else. We are dying slowly and gradually people are creeping into it," he lamented.

Ekpemupolo Esq. who demanded for the opening of "a communication channel" between the committee and the NDLEA to effect arrest of suspects, also appealed to the agency to embark on awareness campaign in the kingdom to help sensitize the youths on the dangers of drug abuse.

ACN Ishaku, while responding, expressed his delight in the position taken by the anti-drug committee and other stakeholders in the kingdom towards the fight against drug abuse.

He promised to partner with the anti-drug committee and that his office is always open for visits and collaboration, especially on sensitization programmes where the NDLEA will be happy to be a part of and be opportune to speak on the issue of drug abuse as well as its dangers.

Other members of the anti-drug committee present during the visit are Hon. Paul Uyatede, Elder Epiri Uyas, Comr. Markson Amakiri and Comr. Evidence Onitsha; while on the NDLEA are ACN Mrs. Edevwie Eleanor, Deputy Area Commander/Head, Drug Demand Reduction Department, and CSN Denedo Ufuoma, S.O. Operations, Warri Area Command.

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