The Asagba of Asaba, Prof. Epiphany Azinge, has been commended for inaugurating the Asaba Drug Awareness and Rehabilitation Committee, an initiative aimed at addressing the growing challenge of drug abuse in the Delta State capital.
Director-General of the Delta State Bureau for Orientation and Communication, Fred Oghenesivbe, gave the commendation, while receiving members of the committee during a courtesy visit to his office in Asaba.
Oghenesivbe described drug abuse, particularly among youths, as deeply troubling, noting its links to addiction, mental health issues, and premature deaths.
He stated that numerous cases of young peoples’ lives being ruined by drug addiction have been recorded in the state.
The director general further stressed that the impact of drug abuse go beyond the individual, affecting families, communities, and society at large.
Citing statistics from the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), he revealed that in 2023 alone, about 500,000 individuals aged between 15 and 65 in Delta State were involved in drug abuse.
Oghenesivbe reaffirmed the bureau’s commitment to partnering with the Asaba Drug Awareness and Rehabilitation Committee and other stakeholders to intensify public enlightenment efforts and drive lasting change across communities.
“As a bureau, we are fully committed to collaborating with your committee and other stakeholders to broaden the reach of sensitization campaigns and create lasting positive change in our communities.
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“With collective efforts, we can safeguard the future of our youths. Drug abuse and crime also carry severe economic costs, including increased healthcare expenses, loss of productivity, and pressure on law enforcement.
“The NDLEA has even recommended mandatory drug testing for students seeking admission into higher institutions.
“Substance abuse often results in impaired judgment, leading to crimes such as robbery, rape, domestic violence, kidnapping, and other offenses,” he added.
Earlier, the Chairperson of the Asaba Drug Awareness and Rehabilitation Committee, Nwanyi Ajufoh, said the committee’s core mission is to rescue lives affected by drug abuse across towns and villages.
She expressed the committee’s willingness to work with relevant agencies to educate rural communities on the dangers of drug abuse, emphasizing the urgent need to address the growing crisis.
Ajufoh noted that a significant number of Asaba youths were grappling with substance abuse, adding that the committee established by the Asagba of Asaba, reflects the monarch’s zero-tolerance stance on drug use among his subjects.
Also speaking, the state commander of the NDLEA, represented by Mr. Victor Isibor, highlighted the shared responsibility of curbing drug abuse, urging parents to be proactive in guiding their children.
He revealed that in the first half of 2025, the state command of the NDLEA seized over 1,000 kilograms of assorted drugs and arrested nearly 600 suspects.
He clarified, however, that drug users should be seen as patients, not criminals, noting that about 400 individuals had been counseled and many rehabilitated.
