Covid-19, no doubt, led to job losses and economic downturn, but that’s not where its impact ends. The stay-at-home order by the government to curb the spread of the pandemic provoked heavy drugs consumption pattern in the youths, according to the Rivers State commander of the Nigeria Drugs Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Rachel Shelleng.
The state commander revealed that the drugs dealers turned to heavy consumers because they could not move across the states to peddle drugs. This also led to cheapness of hard drugs and thus availability to consumers who apparently sat at home all day due to the movement restrictions.
Shelleng spoke in Port Harcourt when the leadership of the Correspondents Chapel of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) paid a visit to understand how the drugs war is shaping up in the oil region.
She admitted that there are also drugs problems in Rivers State which seems to fuel youth restiveness, cultism and crime. Sources said most persons tend to want to go into drug abuse especially cocaine and heroin.
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Operatives say there is a correlation between violent crime and drugs. Shelleng however said drugs are massively destroying the youth. Others say drugs also fuel terrorism such as Boko Haram and those who boldly attack police stations. “When we catch them, see how they break down the moment the effect of drugs wears out. They hardly show the same zeal they had before the attacks.”
The state commander wondered if most states knew how deeply drugs had eaten into their societies and the full impact of drug abuse in their areas and thus the value of fighting drugs. They would have pumped more resources and policy attention into full scale war against drugs menace.
Shelleng stated: “It is having devastating impact on parents. Often, they come here to report very bad cases involving their wards and you need to see them weeping. The US does not joke with drug issues. Nigeria has moved from being a carrier nation (couriers) to a drug consumer nation”.
Speaking further, she lamented over lack of adequate logistics support such as vehicles to go after the barons, though she commended the Rivers State government for donation of three vehicles. “We have six commands plus state headquarters. Much help is needed. We also need vehicles to take accused persons to court regularly. Often, when the vehicle has gone to court, we get call that somebody we have been tracking is seen somewhere. It’s a huge challenge. We need more vehicles. The recent visit of the NDLEA chairman, Buba Warwa, helped us with the donation of vehicles.
“Our operatives are ready to give the drug barons a fight but logistics challenges cause huge drawback. We know that the FG knows the importance of fighting drug abuse though it also has its financial challenges. That is why we plead with the states to work closely with the NDLEA state commands to deepen the fight.
“If Nigerian does not tackle drug menace, citizens may soon find it difficult to even move on the streets. Parents must take responsibility. We urge them to make friends with their children so they can read them and interpret them early. They must know what is happening to each child. Parents these days seem to pay more attention to paying school fees and expect that that school would play parents’ role. Look, school cannot replace parent.
“Candies are now sold even in supermarkets. They are now dangerous because they are getting laced with drugs. Children eat them and soon get addicted. These drugs are addictive. Look out for early signs in your growing child such as wearing dark glasses (they do not want you to look into their eyes and read it), withdrawal syndrome, aggressiveness, heavy perfuming to kill off the odour. Parents should be able to notice these signs early and sit down with such a child. If it gets more than this, involve the NDLEA so that the soft side of the agency can come in quickly.”
She gave patterns in Rivers State and said all drugs are being abused. “Rivers State is involved in all drugs especially cocaine, heroin. Ice (metamephine) is now being produced in illicit labs in Nigeria and its use is now widespread. Drug users prefer it for its instant hit on their nervous system. It looks like Ajimoto seasoning ingredient. It hits harder than other drugs. It reacts faster to the central nervous system. We suspect nearby labs either within or nearby states. We are still searching. Rivers people just like drugs.”
On what can be done to save Nigeria from drugs, Shellend and her top operatives point at unemployment as major issue.
“Idleness after school seems to be the first. Young men finish school and remain unemployed for years. They soon suffer depression and begin to embrace drugs. So, unemployment is fueling drug abuse. They are rather victims and they get caught and wasted by security agencies.”
The state commander passionately pleaded with all governments to elevate job creation as an urgent task. “As a matter of urgency, don’t allow the youths to remain idle. It is an explosive situation. Let job creation be the new focus of every government, not just as a social benefit but now as a security measure.
“Again, there is need for mass education and awareness on radio and other media outlets. Aggressive enlightenment is needed urgently. There is need for fortification of operations with good logistics back up to NDLEA.
“Tell your children and wards especially the infants never to collect anything at school to eat. The family foundation is weak these days thus making youth to grow up without string resistance fibre to fight vices and drugs early.”
The command just recorded one major seizure involving two persons but one was later freed for merely escorting a friend, looking trapped. The other one is said to claim to be a policeman, but is being investigated on that aspect.
On whether there are cases of internal collaborations with drug barons, Shelleng said: “There is no evidence of such misconduct around here. Our operatives are committed and work hard. Of course they know what I can do if anyone tries anything. They are few in number and so we work closely. There are no known black legs. Training is key and makes them to know their responsibilities and career consciousness”.
Earlier, the leader of delegation of journalists, Amaechi Okonkwo, explained that Correspondents were crucial in reporting the fight against drug abuse.
“We realise that the NDLEA in Port Harcourt is under reported and that a lot could be happening without public notice. We are here to seek closer collaboration so we get information backed by facts and report frequently. We also need to understand the challenges there are here so we can expose them to the larger society and to the federal and state governments.”
