By joshua 
Edo Government Inaugurates Committee To Combat Drug Abuse
By Ikhili Ebalu, Benin City
Edo State Government has inaugurated the State and Local Government Drug Control Committee in a bid to combat growing incidents of drug abuse as well as promote healthy living in the society.
Speaking during the event held at Government House, Benin City, the deputy governor stated that Edo State Government, through the drug control committee will curb the menace of drug trafficking and substance use.
Mr. Idahosa stated that the committee’s inauguration marks a vital step and bold initiative in line with the national drug master plan.
The Coordinator, Office of The First Lady, Edo State, Mrs. Edesili Anani noted that drug abuse has become a pandemic in the state.
She urged women to be involved in the fight against drug abuse, through empathy and appeal to children to stop taking drugs.
Interfacing with the audience on behalf of the Chairman, NDLEA, Brig-General Mohammed Buba Marwa (Rtd), the Zonal Commander, Zone 13, Fidelis Cocodia, touched on vital issues such as tackling challenges at grassroots levels and awareness outreach.
The NDLEA Edo State Commander, Mr. Mitchell Ofoyeju, reeled out statistics of drug use at the national level, which he put at 14.4%, with Edo State topping the national values at 15%, based on the last compiled drug use database, which he claimed to be worrisome.
Also speaking, the immediate past deputy speaker of Edo state House Of Assembly, Rt. Honourable Marie Omozele Oligbi-Edeko,and a member of the committee, frowned at the National Assembly inability to
bring the drug abuse law into the co- current list, so that the states, local government and the people consuming drugs will be involved.
Oligbi- Edeko warned the various local government chairmen against constituting their committees with favouritism by putting in their brothers, sisters or party faithful as committee members , stating that we cannot be cosmetic about this whole event.
According to her, ” this committee that is inaugurated today has stakeholders, religious leaders, Agencies, Education, information commissioner, traditional rulers , House of Assembly members and so on, it is a serious task that must be taken seriously by the different Councils. “The government means well by constituting this committee and everyone should take it seriously”.
She stated that the committee will collaborate with various agencies, like the DSS, Police, NSCDC and other government parastators to combat drug abuse
She assured them that, ” her Excellency, the first lady of the state will have to give the template to the stakeholders that will constitute the committees in the various local government areas.” she stated.