The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has assured its readiness to collaborate with management of higher institutions in Kwara to prevent drug abuse among students in the state.
The Kwara Commander of NDLEA, Fatima Popoola, stated this in Ilorin on Wednesday while speaking during a sensitisation programme on drug abuse.
The event was organised by the agency in collaboration with the Kwara State University (KWASU) at Malete, Ilorin.
Popoola said that the agency was concerned about the welfare of students and would not allow illegal substance use to ruin their future.
She advised landlords and house agents to be aware of the kind of people they rent their houses or hostels to in order to prevent illegal drug dealings.
In his remarks, the Vice-Chancellor of the University, Prof. Luqman Jimoh, reaffirmed the institution’s zero-tolerance policy on drug abuse and other social vices.
He described drug abuse as one of the most serious social and public health challenges confronting the country.
He said this could undermine academic performance, fuels criminality, destroy careers and deprive young people of their future.
Also speaking the youth leader in Malate community, Aremu Usman, said the community was ready to collaborate with NDLEA and KWASU to reduce the rising cases of drug trafficking and abuse in the community.
He appealed to the agency to expand its presence in the community, adding that Malete would support such move with more land to build the office accommodation. (NAN)
