By Akinwale Kasali
The National Drug Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, has disclosed that there are certain Online Platforms where illicit Drugs are being sold.
The Agency urged Nigerians to be at alert, describing this trend as the new dimension in which drug is being abused in the country.
The NDLEA Commander in Kwara State, Ibrahim Mohammed, said drug abuse is a global phenomenon, common among youths, and the new fad of Online Drug Sales is another dimension used by dealers in selling the wares to their clients and prospective clients.
Speaking on the title, “Uprise in Drug Abuse, Role of Parents”, at a Week Long International Federation of Women Lawyers, FIDA, Week celebrations, organised by the Kwara State chapter, in Ilorin, the State Capital, Mohammed said menace of Drugs is major issue which shouldn’t be treated with kid gloves, urging Parents to be watchful of their children, their behaviour, friends and their lifestyles.
He stated: “We call it the darknet where drugs are being sold online without the seller and the buyer knowing each other. All they need is contact and they make the call and the substance is delivered. It is very common here now.
“What we have been doing is to see how to intercept them, especially the waybill coming from neighbouring states through some commercial vehicles. We have intensified our patrol system around the state.
“We are gathering intelligence and making very good use of it. We have intercepted quite a number of them through control delivery.”
The Anti-graft czar appreciated Governor Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq’s proactiveness, as he supported the agency with infrastructure to tackle the menace.
Mohammed stressed that the prevalence of drug use, abuse and addiction had led to increase in crime rate, asserted that there is no crime without drug undertone.
He suggested some preventive measures against the menace such as family harmony and bonding, affection and love for family members, proactive and positive parenting. He advised parents not to be judgmental but ensure effective monitoring of their children, among others.
According to the Chairperson of Kwara FIDA, Gloria Okoduwa, phones have taken many children away from their parents, and that family discussion has now been neglected.
She announced plans by FIDA to take a campaign against drug abuse and its effect to major markets and other public places in the state to drive down the message, saying that many parents failed the generation with their poor parenting attitude.
