The Police Community Relations Committe(PCRC) has frowned at the promotion of use of illicit drugs by some entertainers .
The PCRC Chairman in Rivers State, Voke Emore during a rally on Wednesday at Ignatius Ajuru University of Education on War Against Drug Abuse with the theme “On Colos Is Not The Way Out’ said one of the causes of crimes in our community is use of illicit drugs.
He cited instance of BokoHaram terrorists getting their people to be obedient by drugging them to do what they want their members to do .
He disclose that drugs influences youth wrongly in communities.
“We decided that we need to preach against use of illici drug,we decided to partner with National Drug Law Enforcement Agency to come and preach the message against drug abuse .
“Now days you hear children say they are on colos that is they are on drugs .We are also preaching against the entertainment industry that has encouraged drug abuse.Alot of music you hear on air,social media encourages young ones to take illicit drug.
“We are preaching against it so that entertainers will take it as responsibility to talk against drug abuse just like the Government of the world decided that you must put notice of negative consequence on cigarette, that smokers are liable to die young,that is what will want the musicians to do .After their song, video they can say no against drug abuse.
“Musicians have to express it because young people see them as role models,influencers.We are trying to safe young Nigerians.
“We call on NGOs,organizations to come to the aid of NDLEA so that proper treatment centre can be established.
“While we preach against illicit drug,we should also ensure there is proper treatment centre for those that are on drugs”.
Meanwhile the NDLEA has urged the youth and members of the public to walk away from ‘colos’ and any other illicit drugs.
Stella -Maris Amede, Assistant State Commander incharge of Drug Demand Reduction Unit, Rivers State Command in her speech said
“We are here for War Against Drug Abuse,to sensitize the students to live a healthy life .When you are into drug, you are a sick person.Drug is commonly abused everywhere now,we are here to advice them to walk away from illicit drugs.
“We are here to advice them that if you are on Colos or any illicit drug,you will not be able to graduate from school.
“Aside sensitization of the public on negative consequences of drug abuse, the NDLEA also goes after dealers of illicit drug,those selling the drugs.
“We also have rehabilitation unit that we treat sick people.We do not call them drug addict, We call them clients.if you call them drug addict, you will stigmatize them.They are sick people, they need help.
“We have thirty client under rehabilitation.The rehabilitation centre is just a make shift but we are trying to make it comfortable for them.We dont have female rehabilitation centre. We want a big rehabilitation centre that can accommodate male and female clients”.
Meanwhile the management of Ignatius Ajuru University has commended PCRC,NDLEA for the sensitization programme.
Dr. Martins Adekanmbi, Chairman of students ethics and disciplinary committe told journalists that of the main point of misconduct in University is issue of drug abuse,
He said “we have our rules and laws under the ethics and disciplinary committee .
“If you are found using drugs is expulsion for one session and after the expulsion, presentation of certificate of fitness from physchiatric hospital before you can be re-admitted into the school.
“If you are found sellling,peddling the illicit drugs you will be expired from the institution.
“We dont want our children to be expired,we dont want them as parents to get expired due to peer pressure, so that is why we are partnering NDLEA,PCRC for the sensitization “.
He disclosed that two students of the institution have been expired for drug peddling in the last two years.