Anambra Govt inaugurates State's Drug Control Committee

Governor Willie Obiano has inaugurated the State Drug Control Committee.
The 11 member committee comprises government officials from line Ministries and officers of the State Command of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, and has as its Chairman, the Commissioner for Health, Dr Josephat Akabuike and the NDLEA State Commander, Mr Sule Momodu as its secretary.

The Committee has as its terms of reference, to collaborate with the NDLEA in the State to ensure the implementation of Drug Demand Reduction Components as it affects the state and develop appropriate intervention strategies that will prevent the abuse of illicit and control drugs as well as to advise the government on any issues that will ensure that illicit drug abuse and trafficking is brought to the barest minimum.

Inaugurating the committee, Governor Obiano who noted that illicit drugs constitute 90 percent of the cause of crimes in the State, said if effectively controlled, crime in the state can be reduced to its barest minimum, noting that it was for this reason that his government integrated the NDLEA in the Security  Council.
The governor said his administration will develop a standard in collaboration with relevant ministries and agencies, to check illegal sale of controlled drugs in Pharmaceutical Stores in the State, to reduce access to them by persons who should not.
He urged the committee work in line with its terms of reference to end illicit drug peddling and abuse in the State and assured that they will get every necessary support they require from his government to make their job smooth.
Earlier, the State Commander of the NDLEA, Mr Momodu said the  State Command of the Agency is lucky to have a leader like Governor Obiano at the state helm and said his support to the Agency has been key to the numerous achievements which it has recorded in the fight against illicit drugs, commending Governor Obiano for the approval for the construction of a Modern Rehabilitation center for drug addicts in the State.
Noting that the war against illicit drugs must be approached from both the demand and the supply angles, Mr Momodu said while the Agency is intensifying the crackdown on command and control centers of the Drug syndicate on the Supply side, the Rehabilitation Center will help handle the consumers on the demand side.
In a vote of thanks, the Commissioner for Health, Dr Akabuike represented by Dr Okwuchukwu Chukwuka thanked the governor for giving them the honour to serve the state in that capacity and promised that they will put in their best towards achieving the mandate given them.
Formal inauguration of the committee by the governor formed the highpoint of the event.