The Bauchi government says it is worried about the widespread sale and use of hard drugs in the state.

Secretary to the state government, Ibrahim Kashim, disclosed this on Thursday in Bauchi at the inauguration of a task force to work out modalities for curtailing the scourge.

Mr Kashim said the task force would complement NDLEA’s efforts in the fight against illicit drugs.

“Its terms of reference include intercepting illicit drugs in transit and closing suspected warehouses, shops and residences being used to transact drug businesses,” stated Mr Kashim. “It is also to prosecute persons involved in the business, arrest persons found consuming illicit drugs and map out strategies for checkmating activities of peddlers and consumers of the drugs in the state.”

The SSG directed the task force to take any other action necessary to curtail the menace. He urged its members to discharge the assignment to the best of their abilities to achieve desired objectives.

The task force chair and NDLEA chair, Ali Manu, noted that the NDLEA, a leading agency in the war against drug abuse and trafficking, could not win the war alone.

Mr Manu called for the support of the government, NGOs, religious bodies and sister security agencies to raise awareness and share information on the menace.

He said the NDLEA arrested 162 suspects and seized 673.499kg of different classes of drugs between August and November through constant intelligence-led raids on black spots and identified drug dealers.

“It is worthy of note that the issue of illicit substance abuse and trafficking should be taken with all the seriousness they deserve. The damages created by illicit drug consumption and trafficking are evident in our daily lives,” Mr Manu explained.

He added, “They manifest in psychiatric problems in youths, dysfunctional families, depression, sudden death, other health issues, poverty, crime, unfitness for employment, corruption and electoral violence, among other issues.”

(NAN)