In recognition of her efforts in ridding the society of drug related vices, towards building a healthier society, and as “mother of the state”, the State Command of National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has decorated the First Lady, Mrs. Bamidele Abiodun as the Executive Ambassador of War Against Drug Abuse (WADA).
At a courtesy call, the new Commander of the NDLEA in the state, Commander Archie-Abia Ibinabo, decorating Her Excellency, said the task she was saddled with was imperative to curb the prevalence of drug use in the state which according to her must be a collaborative effort.
She said “It may interest Her Excellency to note that the United Nations Office on Drug and Crime (UNODC) report on drug use prevalence 2018, the South West Zone of the country recorded 22.4% of which Ogun accounts 17% prevalence in the region. A rating higher than the other South Western States in Nigeria. This is worrisome and we are here to partner with your good self to remedy this unpleasant situation.”
Commander Ibinabo said one out of four (4) drug users is a woman which according to her was a warning signal that needed urgent attention considering the vital role Women play in the society and the consequences of drug abuse on families and the society.
She announced that Mrs. Abiodun, by virtue of her position had been made the Chairperson of the state drug control committee (SDCC), an inter-ministerial committee that comprised of the Ministries of Health, Education, Information, Women Affairs, Youth and Sports as well as NAFDAC, Nigeria Police and other NGOs with the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency as the Secretariat of the body.
In her response, Mrs. Bamidele Abiodun identified the need for continued aggressive campaign against the menace counseling that drug should not be seen as a social instrument by the youths and neither should it be made a solace for social economic problems particularly in children from broken homes.
She attributed the prevalence of drug abuse to economic circumstances that should be properly managed by individuals advocating resilience and circumspect in people’s responses to these unpalatable situations.
She said people identified with drug abuse should not be neglected noting that they need help and should be assisted to walk out of the situation.
She pledged her total support for the agency and other line agencies on the committee calling on them for cooperation and dedication to the task ahead of them.
