The governor gave the charge on Wednesday when the NDLEA’s Assistant Commandant General (Narcotics) and Director of Administration and Establishment, Alhaji Hamisu Lawal, paid him a courtesy visit at Government House, Asaba.
He said that the charge had become necessary as it would go a long way in helping to mitigate the worrisome trend of substance and illicit drugs abuse in the country.
Oborevwori listed the factors responsible for substance and illicit drugs abuse to include poor socio-economic background, bad parenting, family problems, poor academic performance and social pressure.
According to him, substance abuse and the use of illicit drugs affect the youth, especially those in secondary and tertiary institutions, making them to be unruly and destructive.
He condemned the recent ugly incident involving the NDLEA that led to the death of a two-year old child at Okpanam area of the state.
He noted that substance abuse and illicit drugs were on the increase in the contemporary Nigerian society.
He, therefore, reiterated his advocacy for a concerted effort to stem down the unfortunate scenario, while appealing to the Agency to sustain its effort aimed at ensuring that Nigeria becomes a substance abuse and illicit drugs free nation.
“I want to acknowledge the NDLEA for what they are doing in the war against drug trafficking and the use of illicit drugs.
” In recent times, there has been an increase of drug abuse and it is not a good thing for our state and our country.
“The factors responsible for this ugly situation include poor socio-economic background, bad parenting, family problems, poor academic performance and social pressure.
“So, I want to appeal that you should continue to do your work and the state government is ready to support you.
“As a government, we will continue to support you in the fight against drug abuse,” he said.
The governor encouraged the NDLEA to do more by beaming its search lights at most villages, rural areas where drug abuse has become the order of the day.
“Regarding the incident that happened recently in our state, I want to commend the effort of the agency in the reactive steps that they took by going to the place where the incident occurred.
“They visited the family of the deceased, including the injured one; the team from Abuja also came to ascertain what had happened and to bring the culprit to justice.
“My wife and I visited the bereaved family. I also saw the injured one and commiserated with the family. The State will be paying the hospital bills as well.
“We are not happy with what happened and I am glad that this incident has not stopped the agency from doing their job,” he said.
Earlier, NDLEA’s Assistant Commandant, Lawal, who was accompanied by the Delta State Commandant of the agency, Abubakar Wada, said they were in Government House on a courtesy visit.
He said that the unfortunate incident that led to the killing of the child in Okpanam area of the state was not intentional.
He said that the agency was very grateful to the state government for its prompt intervention on the issue.
He applauded the “responsible leadership” in the state, while reaffirming the agency’s commitment towards nipping the menace of substance abuse and illicit drug trafficking in the country in the bud.
