The wife of Abia State Governor, Mrs Priscilla Chidinma Otti, has commended the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) for its dedication and resilience in the fight against drug abuse and trafficking in Abia and other parts of the country.
Mrs. Otti said this on Thursday during an anti-drug awareness campaign in Umuahia, organized by the NDLEA in collaboration with the Abia State Government.
Represented by Mrs Adaeze Emetu, wife of the Deputy Governor, Mrs Otti said that youths must be guided and protected from the scourge of drug abuse, reaffirming that the State Government will always support every initiative that prevents drug abuse, protects the youths, and promotes a culture of wellness.
She described the 2025 United Nations International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking as a platform to amplify the State Government’s dedicated fight against drugs and substance abuse.
On his part, the Acting State Commander of NDLEA, Abia Command, Deputy Commander of Narcotics, Chigbu Odoemelam Chilee, said that organized crime often stems from societal cases such as poverty, lack of education, broken families, and unresolved trauma.
“Organised crime often stems from societal issues such as poverty, lack of education, broken families, and unresolved trauma.
“If we treat addiction as a public health issue and invest in preventive mechanisms, we will make a lasting impact, starting with our children before they are exposed to the streets.”;
He said that the dangerous cycle of drug abuse and organized crime in society can be broken through preventive mechanisms, increased investment in family life, youth orientation, mental healthcare, and drug education.
