By Francis Igata

ENUGU—Enugu State government has expressed readiness to partner the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA in battling all elements associated with illicit drug trafficking for sustainable national development and stability. Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, who spoke in Enugu on the occasion of the grand finale of 2015 International Day against drug and illicit trafficking, said drug abuse and illegal trafficking constituted a twin evil that the human society must fight with much vigour.

The governor noted that youths were at the centre of drug abuse in their quest to get rich quick, adding that such a desire in a competitive world had given rise to the menace. Governor Ugwuanyi stressed that the interests of the youths should always be given due consideration by government at all levels, so the society would experience peace and economic growth.

He added that the present administration would always consider the welfare of the youths as the leaders of tomorrow, so they would not turn out to be objects of concern to the state in particular and the society at large.

The governor, who was represented by the Secretary to the State Government, SSG, Mr. Gabriel Ajah, described the theme of the occasion ‘Let’s develop our lives, our communities, our identities without drugs,’ as apt and timely, in view of the over-riding negative effects of drug abuse in the life of any nation and its citizenry.

He said it was a message to awaken in everyone the spirit of positive living, where negative vices should be shunned to ensure national development.