NDLEA Raises Alarm Over Misuse Of Methamphetamine In Taraba

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency’s (NDLEA) Taraba State Command has issued a warning regarding the distribution and misuse of methamphetamine, also known as “ICE,” in Taraba state.

It revealed that this latest trend is becoming worrisome due to the nature of the drug.

Taraba State Commander of NDLEA, CN Nanzing Daniel Sallah, disclosed this on Friday at a sensitization program for principals of public secondary schools on the war against drug abuse.

He also urged parents to be extra vigilant regarding their wards during this time.

According to him, “the new trend in Taraba state is the trafficking and abuse of methamphetamine, popularly called ICE. We discovered that youths are avoiding cannabis or alcohol because their parents can easily perceive the smell. They are now turning to ICE because it is odourless.

“From our findings during our raid operations, there is hardly a dark spot, especially in Jalingo, where you won’t find it. It is a whitish crystal and has just entered Taraba state, so parents need to be extra vigilant.

“It has come into the state from other geopolitical zones where they are being manufactured, but our vigilant officers on the highway are gradually breaking the supply chain from the point of entry.

“Arrests have been made on highways leading into Taraba, and our raids of black spots have led to seizures.

“But we are still surprised to see an increase in the use of methamphetamine, especially in Jalingo, the state capital.”

CN Sallah also argued that using medicine without a prescription from a medical practitioner equals drug abuse.

He then suggested that the National Association of Patent Medicine Dealers, NAPMED, be onboarded to form a supportive and collaborative army with the NDLEA, Pharmacy Council of Nigeria, PCN, and other stakeholders.

He further recommended that drug-free clubs be established in schools across the state so that students can become advocates in the fight against drug and substance abuse.

Earlier, the State Commissioner for Education, Dr. Augustina Godwin, explained that the state government is about to set up a guidance and counseling unit in all schools to help in the fight against drug abuse.

Also, the Wife of Taraba State Governor, Agyin Kefas, in her address, reiterated her support for all initiatives that will rid the state of the menace of drug abuse.