The Abia State governor, Alex Otti, has urged the youths in the state to stay away from drugs and bad influences to secure their future and help develop the community.
Otti said this in Umuahia, the state’s capital, on Wednesday, during the United Nations Day against Illicit Trafficking and Drug Abuse event organised by the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA).
He said understanding the harmful effects of drugs will help young people make better choices and get help when they need it.
The governor, represented by his Chief of Staff, Dr Caleb Ajagba, said the event’s theme, “The Evidence is Clear: Invest in Prevention,” was fitting. He added that education is crucial in giving people the knowledge to avoid drug abuse.
He emphasised that to succeed in life, young people need to set and focus on their goals.
The governor’s wife, Mrs Priscilla Otti, represented by the wife of the Deputy Governor, Mrs Adaeze Emetu, said preventing drug abuse is the best way to handle the issue.
She added that cutting off the supply of illegal drugs can win the fight against drug abuse and illegal drug trade..
She praised the NDLEA for their dedication to fighting drug trafficking and usage.