Superintendent of Narcotics, National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Lagos State Command, Musa Aliyu, has lamented the high level of drug abuse and how it affects the youths negatively. He made this observation at a drug walk organized by the Adorable Foundation International (AFI) last weekend to mark the United Nations World Drug day.
In company with his deputy, Usman Mohammed, he said that the agency was proud to partner with AFI in the war against drug abuse. Musa advised parents to look out for signs that could reveal a child is taking drugs. “If you go to their rooms, observe what is within. You may see a lighter or matchbox, pieces of papers, bottles. If the child is not sick, the parent should ask what cough syrup is doing in the room.”
“The cough syrup is now taking a new dimension. Young girls who are future mothers mostly abuse it. If we allow them continue taking codeine, they may be unable to reproduce. The more they take, the more it damages the womb and that would be the end. Also look out for corks (especially from bottles) it is very important in burning cocaine. They usually light a candle under the cork; then they would hold the cork with a scissors for it to start burning. Initially they use teaspoon but now corks are in fashion. If you see syringes in their rooms, you should ask why, especially if the person is not a doctor.
He continued: “If you check under their mattresses and see some particles of what they smoked, you know what to do. There are also posters of people that do or did drugs that they usually buy from the market, Fela Anikulapo-Kuti’s posters, Bob Marley’s and their caps with their logo on it. Even wristbands coloured green, yellow and what have you. If you notice that your child is beginning to wear such things, he or she could be going the wrong way. Sometimes you see them having multiple pockets, they could have about six pockets when they are not selling anything in the market.”
Musa concluded that the ultimate devastating effect of drugs is that it takes one’s money and life. “There is nobody that would smoke marijuana for eight years non-stop without running mad no matter how big his brain is, either he is by the roadside or he is talking himself,” he said.
To commemorate the United Nations International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking, the walk was organised by Adorable Foundations International (AFI) in partnership with the UN and ASACADA (A Societal Awareness Campaign Against Drug Abuse), a non-governmental organization. AFI bemoaned the staggering increase of drug abuse and its victims as well as its negative effects especially among the youth and took to the streets of Lagos to sensitize Nigerians on the need to stay away from drugs.
The road walk kicked off from Teslim Balogun Stadium, Surulere, to the palace of the Eze Ojiofor Ndigbo, Lagos, HRH Eze Cyril Anomneze for fatherly blessings before taking the message to residents of Ojuelegba, Mushin, Oshodi, Ikeja, Maryland, Yaba, CMS, Obalende and Awolowo Road, before heading back to the stadium.
Reacting to the walk, Founder and President, Adorable Social Club of Nigeria (ASCN) and AFI, Princess Okeke-Amam said she was filled with excitement for the realisation of the campaign, which had involved a lot of planning. Addressing the media, she said the day was one for sober reflection. Quizzed about the foundation’s ability to take the campaign nationwide, she said: “As I speak to you, the campaign is going on in Abuja and Awka and in some other state capitals. Adorable International will go nationwide to see that we do what we can for our country.
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