Anambra Information Ministry, NDLEA Unite Against Drug Abuse, Youth Moral Decay
By Rose Oranye/Ogochukwu Eze
The Anambra State Ministry of Information and Value Reformation and the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, have agreed to strengthen collaboration against drug abuse and promote value reorientation among youths across the state.
The agreement was reached when the Principal Training Officer, Training, Media and Advocacy of NDLEA, Mrs. Priscilla Onyema, paid a courtesy visit to the Commissioner for Information and Value Reformation, Dr. Law Mefor, in Awka.
Dr. Mefor said the inclusion of value reformation in the ministry’s name was deliberate, given the growing concerns over moral decay and drug abuse, particularly the spread of crystal meth, popularly known as “mkpuru mmiri”, among young people.
He described the drug as a serious threat to society, noting that its synthetic nature, affordability and destructive effects make the growing trend particularly concerning.
The commissioner said the situation was capable of overshadowing the achievements of the Governor Chukwuma Soludo administration in infrastructure, healthcare and education if urgent action was not taken to protect young people from drug abuse.
He explained that the government’s value reformation agenda focuses on four key areas, including anti drug abuse, anti cultism, moral and behavioural reformation, and general value reorientation.
Dr. Mefor said a technical committee had already been established to develop a blueprint for a statewide campaign, adding that the ministry was ready to work with NDLEA to expand sensitisation programmes across schools, communities and media platforms.
He disclosed plans to formally invite the NDLEA Alternative Development team to Anambra, while proposing an inter ministerial approach involving the Ministries of Information, Youth and Sports, Women Affairs, Health, Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, as well as town unions and community leaders.
Mrs. Onyema said NDLEA combines enforcement with advocacy in its fight against drug abuse, revealing that the agency had reached more than 170 schools across Anambra’s local government areas within the last three years.
She said ignorance and peer pressure remain major factors driving young people into drug abuse, stressing that even a small number of people making positive decisions after sensitisation represents progress.
Mrs. Onyema also introduced NDLEA’s Alternative Development Directorate, which seeks to support youths willing to abandon drug trafficking and assist vulnerable persons who may be targeted for recruitment by drug dealers.
She explained that interested states could formally approach the NDLEA Chairman through their State Commander to facilitate the deployment of the Alternative Development team for further engagement with relevant stakeholders.
