The Governor of Anambra State, Willie Obiano, has warned some personnel of the Nigeria Police and other security outfits who are smoking Indian hemp.
Obiano noted that the substance would only damage them instead of helping them as they erroneously believed.
He stated this during a lecture organised by the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency to commemorate the 2019 International Day against Drug Abuse and Drug Trafficking in Awka.
While condemning the rate at which security personnel abuse drugs, especially Indian hemp, the governor traced the introduction of cannabis sativa into the country to the Second World War when Nigerian soldiers, who fought in some parts of Asia, brought in the substance.
He said what modern security required was intelligence and not Dutch courage acquired by taking illicit drugs.
Obiano stated, “We cannot have a 21st Century security system, whose personnel rely on consumption of Indian hemp and other illicit drugs.
“A modern security system relies more on brainwork and not Dutch courage. I implore you in the name of God to stop taking Indian hemp and other illicit drugs. It is not the way to go.”
Represented by the Executive Secretary, State Health Insurance Scheme, Dr Simeon Onyemaechi, the governor assured the NDLEA in the state of his administration’s support for the fight against illicit drugs.
The governor enjoined school principals in the state, who had not established drug-free clubs in their schools, to do so within two weeks.
He gave an assurance that the state government would soon begin the construction of a N120m-drug rehabilitation centre in the state.
In his address, the NDLEA Commander in the state, Sule Momodu, hailed the governor for his commitment to the fight against drug abuse and trafficking in the state.
While making a request for undercover vehicles from the state government, Momodu stressed the importance of having a drug rehabilitation centre in the state.
He regretted that most youths in the state had taken smoking of cannabis sativa as a normal way of life.
Momodu said, “The state needs a drug rehabilitation centre. That is the main thing in modern societies. The governor has done well in the fight against drug abuse and trafficking.
“Anambra is the only state where drug education is taught in primary schools. We run a quiz contest on drug matters in secondary schools and winners are handsomely rewarded.
“Teachers in the state are trained in drug-related matters and Anambra State is the only state where sitting allowances are paid to members of security committees.”
Momodu enjoined communities and vigilante groups in the state to help the agency in the fight against drug abuse and trafficking in their domains, stressing that every other crime derived its origin from drug abuse.
