Pubdate: Fri, 18 Jun 2004 Source: This Day (Nigeria) Copyright: 2004 This Day. Contact: http://www.thisdayonline.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/2870 Author: Segun Awofadeji NDLEA SEIZES DRUGS, ARRESTS SUSPECTS Bauchi -- Bauchi State Command of the National Drugs and Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has disclosed that about 50.815 kilogrames of cannabis sativa popularly known as Indian hemp have so far been seized in the area this year. Disclosing this in Bauchi the state Commander of the Agency, Ms Omolade Fagboyede, added that 50 persons have also been arrested while five were convicted, saying Nigeria has a lot of mad men and women on our streets due to readily available market of cannabis sativa, containing most dangerous psychotropic substance called tetra-hydrocanubium, which intoxicates drug users beyond control. She pointed out that the war against drugs was a collective responsibility which should involve all sectors of the society. The commander, who said the NDLEA was not only interested in prosecuting suspects, noted that it was also involved in rehabilitation "and so far about 50 persons were rehabilitated in the command." According to her, part of the functions of the Agency includes counseling and rehabilitation of the victims, which is being financed by the agency, adding that the agency spent as much as N10,000 per month for food and drugs per person. She stressed that though the state Ministry of Youth and Sports Development has been assisting in the area of campaign against drug abuse, but more still need to be done. The commander observed that the persistent abuse of drugs creates serious health problems such as acute intoxication, dependence, withdrawal syndrome and psychotic disorders. Besides these, she said, it causes damages to vital organs of the body, which according to her, included the kidney nerves and heart, adding that it also causes damages to unborn babies in addition to impotency, infertility, high body temperature coma and premature. - --- MAP posted-by: Beth