NDLEA Rates Drug/Substance Abuse in Benue

Substance abuse, a rising cause of psychiatric disorder, broken homes and increased death among young people in the society has continued to cause concern. With the severe cases emerging each day in the world, Nigeria has been identified as one of the most improved in terms of drug use.  In Benue State, there are emerging cases of substance abuse by the hour. In this interview, Senior Reporter Erdoo Due spoke with an officer of the national Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), with the Benue State Command. Excerpts:

The Transmitter: May we meet you?

Officer: I am Grace Goyol, an assistant commander of NARCOTICS, principal staff officer of the Drug Demand Reduction Unit of NDLEA. I joined NDLEA since 1997 and have headed the drug demand reduction unit for over 12 years. I worked in Jos for 4 years; Kano, 4 years and now I have being working in Benue State since 2014, still in the same unit.

The Transmitter: What is your job function as a principal staff officer of the Drug Demand Reduction Unit in NDLEA?

Officer: We enhance a reduction of the availability and demand of illicit drugs basically through counseling, sensitization and rehabilitation of drug users.

The Transmitter: What progress have you recorded so far as the head of this unit in the state?

Officer: Well, so far we have carried out sensitization on the effects of drug abuse. Also, we visit schools to carry out sensitization and awareness campaigns as this is the grassroots major of our present challenge. Currently, we have visited 40 schools within the state including Nigerian Army Institute of Technology and Environmental Studies Makurdi, Community Secondary School Wadata, Command Secondary School Naka Road to mention a few, for the purpose of awareness and enlightment.

The Transmitter: Speaking on the intake of drugs by individuals, when is a drug termed abused?

Officer: Medically speaking, non adherence to a prescribed dosage of drug is drug abuse as well as self medication. However; drug abuse in this context means a chronological use of a particular drug to a level that the person cannot do without it. Most youths have entangled themselves in this situation and have become drug dependant without which they cannot function normally.

The Transmitter: Which group is the most affected in terms of drug consumption?

Officer: Mostly, youth are the most affected population when drug abuse is discussed. In Benue State, youth ranging from 14-35years are the most affected but the  most alarming part is the fact that, old men are also doing drugs especially Tramadol as they are deceived into believing that this is a form of  energy bolster. Ignorantly they key into it without knowing the side effects.

The Transmitter: What can you categorically say about your experience in Benue State?

Officer: The local government areas have alarming cases of drug users, transporters, distributors and cultivators emerging each day. We keep arresting people, but the more we do the greater the population. Land in Benue State has become preoccupied by Cannabis Sativa cultivation instead of food crops. If this is not controlled, I am afraid the situation might get out of hand.

The Transmitter: How so?

Officer: Youths are seriously and ignorantly abusing drugs whether hidden or openly. Recently, At Yahman Park area in Makurdi (where people smoke and do drugs openly), a team of officers raided the place. These same young people have also found out that illicit farming of cannabis Sativa is more lucrative for them. Tramadol and Cannabis (a hallucinogen and depressant) are the most sold and consumed in the State.

The Transmitter: Are there successes in the fight against substance abuse?

Officer: There is rise in consumption rate in the state as compared to the past 3 years. Though there is no available data on this, I have counseled approximately about 480 people who have come to me.

The Transmitter: What is your agency doing to fight this to a standstill?

Officer: It was as a result of the 1988 convention under President Babangida that NDLEA was established. Under Act CAP N30, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria 2003 as amended. The Agency has the power to arrest, investigate and prosecute all offenders found wanting on all drug related matters. So, in like of this, we as an agency go out to arrest those found selling, farming and consuming drugs. However, an arrested person found to be only using drugs is counseled and released in due course. When arrested, the punishment depends on the offense.

The Transmitter: What is the penalty for those involved in drug abuse?

Officer: Those found using drugs are normally counseled, but penalty and subsequent prosecution depend on the type of drug offense ranging from life imprisonment for those involved in offenses such as; (importation, cultivation, manufacture, exportation, production, transportation of illicit drugs, Imprisonment for a minimum of 15years and a maximum of 25years for those in; (possession and use of illicit drugs).Those found obstructing duty are charged a fine.

The Transmitter: What can you say is the side effect of drugs utilization?

Officer: There are so many side effects attributed to the consumption of drugs some are physical, psychological, social and even economical. Physical effects (damage of user organs, premature pregnancy).Psychological effects (psychosis- user behaves mad, paranoia-feeling of attack/suspicion, Hallucination-seeing things that are not real). Social (armed robbery, cult activities). Economy- (utilization of agricultural land for drug seeds cultivation, an exposure to hunger).

The Transmitter: Do you have any word for Benue State?

Officer: To the youths I will say, they are looked upon as leaders of tomorrow so, involving in dubious activities will not secure their future. They should also know that ignorance of the law on their part is no excuse.To the community leaders and the general public: There is every need for moral uplifment, children should be corrected including those involved in drugs as by making the life of one person better, you are building a nation. Community leaders should also help NDLEA tackle this issue. Those who sell drug in bunks should be reported to security agencies and NDLEA so the users can be dispersed.To the Media: Information is power. Awareness as regards the use of illicit drugs and the dangers that accompany it is a necessity and can never be enough. To the Government: There is every need for a proper rehabilitation centre in Benue State. Funds should be made available to the agency so as to achieve this as it has made our job difficult. Government officials and the general public can also help in this course as professionals are also required for treatment and feeding of those arrested.