The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has stressed the need for robust collaboration with other security agencies regarding intelligence sharing, joint training, and joint operations to achieve a drug-free Abuja.

Mr Kabir Tsakuwa, commander of narcotics, NDLEA, FCT command, said this in an interview on Friday in Abuja.

Mr Tsakuwa said the root causes of drug prevalence among youths were multifaceted, adding that some associated the prevalence with peer pressure, unemployment, frustration, and poverty, among others.

He, however, said others felt drug prevalence among youths was due to a lack of family care among others. He attributed the major cause of the drop in moral values and signs of societal failures.

“Some parents hardly took care of their children. They don’t even know the kinds of friends their children keep. The culture, particularly in the cities due to urbanisation, is degrading day by day due to Western and social media influence, which often misleads the younger generation.

“To remedy the foregoing, the command has been consistently engaged in public enlightenment and Sensitisation. This has been one of the most important aspects of NDLEA strategies. My message to family and other stakeholders is that it is better not to start drugs at all and by making the public to be aware of the dangers of drug abuse.

“It helps in ensuring that individuals are well informed of the consequences of drug abuse. Like the saying goes, ‘prevention is better than cure’,” he said.

Mr Tsakuwa said the command leveraged the ‘War Against Drug Abuse’ (WADA) platform, where the agency embarked on sensitisation in schools and public places.

He said NDLEA officers were also making extensive efforts in public education to support the supply reduction effort. He added that public education was vital in drug abuse prevention.

“We are collaborating with the communities through their chiefs or traditional institutions. More importantly, by educating the public, we equip individuals with the knowledge and skills necessary to understand the risks and consequences of drug abuse.

“The awareness helps in promoting healthier behaviours and assists in making informed decisions regarding substance abuse. We enjoin the stakeholders to continue to support these initiatives to create a drug-free environment for the youths,” he said.

(NAN)