BENIN – The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, has called for the involvement of communities in the country in the prevention of the cultivation of illicit drugs, drug abuse and drug trafficking.

Meanwhile, the Edo State Command of NDLEA, yesterday, in Benin, said that it had seized 17,869kg of cannabis sativa, 10 vehicles of various brands and two motorcycles used by drug peddlers between January and June, this year.

In addition, the agency said it arrested 82 suspects,  just as 21 persons had been convicted and sentenced by the courts,  to various terms of imprisonment during the period under review.

Commander of the NDLEA, Mr. Fred Ezeorah, who addressed newsmen, in Benin at a seminar to mark this year’s United Nations International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking, said the agency had destroyed many cannabis sativa farms, rehabilitated and re-united three drug dependent persons with their families while six others were presently under rehabilitation.

In Calabar, Commander of NDLEA, Cross River State, Mr. Kayode Adeniyi,   at a similar event  in Calabar, yesterday, said that all community members,  irrespective of their status, must work together to achieve the goal of a drug free community.

He said that for any community to improve its social, economic and political conditions, members of that community must be hale and hearty, adding, “where a large percentage of the people are enslaved by drug abuse, development would be greatly retarded.”

According to him, “the most valuable resource in the community is the people. If these people are healthy and sound in mind, they will be able to take vital decisions on issues affecting the lives of the community members.”