NDLEA Engages State, LG Governments Over Youth Employment To Tackle Drug Abuse

In it’s efforts to limit the usage of drugs among the youths and also control it’s spread, the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has initiated engagement with states and local governments in the country on the need to gainfully engage their youths.

Speaking on Ajoro, a public enlightenment program on Miliki 101.3 FM on Tuesday, as monitored by the column.ng , the Media Director of the Drug control agency, Mr Femi Babafemi said that unemployment has been identified as a major catalyst to the growing patronage of the illicit substance among the youth. He said it has been discovered by the agency over time that, most drug abuse victims crave the habit not out of interest in drug usage, but because of idleness.

To this end, he said the agency has initiated a joint intervention committee with states and local governments, primarily, to fashion out means of engagements for their youths, to gainfully engage and discourage them from
taking drug, by the provision of Skill acquisition centers and small scale businesses for them.

Babafemi explained that engaging the youth has become imperative, not only to discourage them from engaging in drug usage, but to also serve as a sure means of rehabilitation for those who have been rehabilitated, but continue to go back to drug use because of joblessness.

The Media Director revealed that the agency has rehabilitated 33, 000 victims in the last three years in it’s about 20 rehabilitation centers across the country. He said within the same space of time,52,000 people have been removed from the streets while as many as 9,000 have been prosecuted.