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The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) on Monday said it has arrested 11 children and the manager of a hotel in Kaduna over alleged drug abuse and trafficking .
The Kaduna State Commander of the agency, Mohammed Jibrin, disclosed this in Kaduna while briefing newsmen on activities marking the International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking.
The theme for the celebration is, “A Message of Hope: Drug Use Disorders Are Preventable and Treatable’’.
Jibrin said the children, seven girls and four boys, were arrested in a hotel room taking psychotropic substance.
He said eight of the arrested children were still in junior classes, adding that their parents had been invited to the command for questioning and counselling.
“Hard drug abuse is a universal phenomenon that cuts across all levels and strata of the society; It is no respecter of age, sex, religion, ethnicity or nationality.
“However, a greater percentage of those that fall prey to this nefarious scourge is the youth.
“The fact that the youths represent the future workforce and leaders in any society makes it absolutely necessary to find lasting solution to the drug phenomenon,” he said.
Jibrin disclosed that between January and May, the command arrested 210 drug suspects, including five female, with various illicit drugs weighing over 1074.02kg.
He said that 80 of them had been convicted and were serving various prison term.
Jibrin said that the command had also discovered and sealed an illegal laboratory in Zaria, manufacturing fake drugs.
According to him, the laboratory produces drugs from ordinary powder, expired chemicals and substances that are detrimental to human health.
Jibrin said the command was also involved in the rehabilitation of drug addicts.
“The agency, offers counselling and rehabilitation services to those that have fallen victim to drugs and cannot seem to find a way out.
“The Drug Demand Reduction Unit of the command has admitted 64 of such addicts since January 2014.
“A total of 37 addicts have been counselled, rehabilitated and reintegrated back into the society.
“There are currently 20 addicts in our facility undergoing this process in Zaria,” he said.
Jibrin stressed the need for communities, parents and other stakeholder to support the fight against drug abuse and trafficking to reduce the menace in the state. (NAN)
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