Pubdate: Fri, 07 Nov 2003
Source: Daily Trust (Nigeria)
Copyright: 2003 Daily Trust.
Contact:  http://www.mtrustonline.com/dailytrust/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/2923
Author: Isa Umar Gusau

TARABA FIFTH IN DRUG ABUSE - NATIONAL DRUG LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCY

The fight against drug abuse has suffered a set back in Taraba State as the 
National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), has rated the state as the 
fifth among states infested with drug abuse in the country.

Speaking to Daily Trust in Jalingo, the Taraba State Commander of the 
NDLEA, Mr. Hatsiwa Shehu Bwala, said the state has become notorious for 
drug abuse.

Mr. Bwala, who was recently posted to the state following the upgrading of 
the Taraba NDLEA office, announced that some arrests were made in 
connection with drug abuse, saying efforts are being made to track down 
those involved in the nefarious act.

The commander said that the agency was in possession of information about 
the level of involvement of farmers who engaged in the cultivation of 
Indian hemp. He said already, about four farms have been taken over by the 
NDLEA while others are being traced.

Mr. Bwala lamented that a serious case which unfolds in the state is that 
of youths injecting themselves with dangerous drug substance.

He said while some arrests have already been made and the culprits taken to 
Yola for counselling, there is still the tendency of the increasing nature 
of the scourge.

He said the Agency has devised a means of liaising with the Nigeria police 
for handing over of suspects in drug related cases.

He however said that the success of the agency's operation lies on support 
from the Taraba State government.

Although he commended the efforts of the NDLEA headquarters, which he 
described as encouraging, he called on the Taraba State government to 
assist the agency with what he referred to as "just a little support" of 
vehicles, to enable his men move and track down the menace of drug abuse.

Mr. Bwala said that the cultivation of drugs are carried out in villages 
which can only be reached through mobility.

He pledged that if his request from the state governmental is granted, his 
team will change the rating of the state to better a ranking in the NDLEA 
drug list.

He called on parents to resist the agency with relevant information about 
their wards who engage in drug abuse so as to facilitate counselling and 
rehabilitation with a view to developing the social wellbeing of their 
children and the state at large.
- ---
MAP posted-by: Larry Stevens