The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency has urged Nigerians battling drug dependence to seek help through its 24-hour counselling and referral service.

The secretary of NDLEA, Shadrach Haruna, gave the assurance on Monday in Abuja to commemorate the 2026 United Nations International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking.

He said professional support is available round the clock for persons struggling with drug use disorders.

“We also urge families and friends of persons battling addiction to seek help from NDLEA, stressing that recovery is possible with the right support and intervention.

“The agency’s helpline, 0800-1020-3040, also known as the 247-Network, was established to ensure timely access to professional assistance for individuals and families affected by drug dependence.

“If you know anyone who is suffering from drug use disorder, NDLEA is there to support. Anyone who calls the number will receive an instant response in whatever language they speak, whether Pidgin English, Hausa, Yoruba, Igbo or formal English,” he said.

According to Mr Haruna saitrained social psychologists were available round the clock to provide counselling and refer callers to appropriate treatment and rehabilitation centres closest to them.

According to him, treatment and rehabilitation remain essential pillars of NDLEA’s balanced approach to drug control, alongside enforcement, prevention and public enlightenment.

Speaking further, Mr Haruna said the agency has adopted innovative approaches to tackling drug abuse and illicit trafficking.

This, he said, included partnerships with faith-based organisations to strengthen prevention, treatment and rehabilitation efforts.

According to him, churches and other religious organisations have become critical stakeholders in the campaign against drug abuse due to their influence on families and communities.

“We involve and use a lot of innovative responses, and one of those responses is to use faith-based organisations, which of course include churches,” he said.

Mr Haruna noted that, beyond collaborating with the agency to report drug-related activities, faith-based organisations contributed significantly through counselling, moral teachings and family-focused interventions.

He described families as the fulcrum of social development, adding that churches provide a strategic platform for reaching homes and communities with anti-drug messages.

According to him, NDLEA is leveraging the influence of religious organisations to connect with other faith communities and take drug abuse prevention campaigns to the grassroots.

Mr Haruna said the agency remained committed to supporting individuals suffering from drug use disorders through counselling, treatment and rehabilitation services.

Mr Haruna called on Nigerians, religious leaders, families and community stakeholders to support efforts aimed at reducing drug demand and helping individuals recover from addiction.

He reaffirmed NDLEA’s commitment to expanding access to treatment and recovery services while strengthening collaboration with faith-based organisations and other partners in the fight against drug abuse and illicit trafficking.

(NAN)