The Oyo state government in collaboration with the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency is set to clamp down on consumers and sellers of illicit drugs to rid the state of criminals.
The Oyo State Commissioner of Health, Dr. Taiwo Ladipo, disclosed this at the 2022 International Day against Drug abuse and Illicit trafficking Celebration held at the Conference Room, Ministry of Health Secretariat, Ibadan, with the theme “Addressing Drug Challenges in Health and Humanitarian Crisis”.
According to him, the present administration has put in place a state Drug Abuse Control Committee, that is in charge of waging war against drug abuse and misuse,adding that the state government would continue to ensure that the menace of these vices are being curbed within our society.
He added : “I think the Oyo state government has been able to extend the processes that have been put together by the federal system in ensuring that the issues pertaining to drug production as well as trafficking is given so much recognition. The NDLEA is part of the state security council and the Oyo state government has actually extended some level of support and that level of support will still continue.
“The committee as it is, is meant to create awareness that is being done seriously and more importantly the processes being put together to start looking at the issues pertaining to the sale of some of these substances within a refined level of sales like pharmacy shops and things like that in the state.
“It is an ongoing process; it is not something that you would start and end in a go. As the people that are trafficking and utilizing those drugs are making different means of getting their ways, the state government would also devise means to ensure that the menace of these within our society is really curbed.
Earlier, the chairman, Oyo state drug Abuse and Control Committee, Pharmacist Lukman Akinwande, stated that the committee set up by the State government has embarked on series of enlightenment programmes in line with its mandate.
He explained that the committee has constituted Drug Free Clubs in the schools across the State, visited markets, motor parks and tertiary institutions in the state.
Mr Akinwande further implored religious bodies, NGOs, teachers, parents and political office holders to come up with more sensitization programmes to as to curb the menace.
In his remarks, the State Commander NDLEA, Oyo State Command, Abdullahi Saeed, said that the determination and commitment of the NDLEA is to ensure a drug-free and well sanitized society.
He appreciated Governor Seyi Makinde for his continued support, morally, financially, and logistics-wise, to the NDLEA Oyo State Command.
