214 Gombe drug suspects arrested in seven months –NDLEA

<p>The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, Gombe State Command, says it arrested no fewer than 214 suspects for drug-related offences in the state between January and July.</p>, <p>Also, 93.95Kg of cannabis sativa, 257.5Kg of psychotropic substance and methamphetamine were seized from the suspects within the period under review.</p>, <p>The News Agency of Nigeria reported that the agency’s state Deputy Commander on Narcotics, Mr Bello Mumini, disclosed this at a programme organised by the Association of Professional Counsellors in Nigeria on Monday</p>, <p>Presenting his paper, titled “Drug Abuse Situation in Gombe State,” Mumini said the 214 suspects included 200 males and 14 females.</p>, <p>He said out of the 214 arrests, 137 of them had been charged to court and that 30 convictions had been secured.</p>, <p>The NDLEA official decried the alarming rate of drug and substance abuse in the state, adding that the pattern and trend cut across gender, age and social status.</p>, <p>He said it was disturbing to know that many women had been found abusing drugs in the state.</p>, <p>He also said it was discouraging that the NDLEA rehabilitation centre in the state was not being utilised properly despite the high rate of drug abuse in the state.</p>, <p>He said, “The NDLEA rehabilitation centre is functional but not being utilised as it ought to.</p>, <p>“We have a 24-bed capacity but the highest we get is seven clients undergoing rehabilitation.</p>, <p>“This is why I am appealing to the state government and other partners to support the centre and sponsor clients towards their effective rehabilitation.”</p>, <p>Mumini commended APROCON for embarking on a campaign against drug abuse while counselling youths on the danger of using drugs and substances.</p>, <p>On her part, the chairperson of APROCON, Dr Habiba Isah, said drug abuse had become one menace that should worry all stakeholders given its negative effects on the youth.</p>, <p>She said her association had launched a campaign against the menace and would be g