Madonna University Alumni, Rivers State Chapter has partnered with the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) to fight illicit drugs in the state.
Some members of the varsity alumni who staged a road walk from Azikiwe Road to the Nigeria Correctional Service in the state on Saturday also donated some food items, baby wears, toiletries among others to the prison inmates.
In their separate remarks, the representative of the state correctional centre, DSP Clifford Orofeidor expressed concern over the spate of drug abuse in the state.
He identified poor family upbringing, peer pressure and economic challenges as some of the factors fueling illicit drugs in the state and its environs.
On his part, the state Commander of NDLEA, Usman Ali Wadar who was represented by his Deputy Commander, Barth Aigbirere urged the prison inmates to stay away from illicit drugs, describing the harmful effects of hard drugs as deadly.
“We are here at the state correctional facility in partnership with Madonna University Alumni Association to sensitize inmates on the dangers of drug abuse.
“We chose to take this sensitisation road walk to the state correctional centre because after arresting and prosecuting drug offenders, this is where conviction and court remand bring them to.
“We don’t want anyone to experiment illicit drugs and for those who are still having medical challenges resulting from chronic use of hard drugs can come to us for rehabilitation, “the state NDLEA said.
Also, the National President of the Madonna University Alumni, Chuka Nwachukwu urged every segment of the society to partner NDLEA in the flight against illicit drugs, maintaining that the fight should not be left for NDLEA alone.
Nwachukwu said the devastating effect of drug abuse is worrisome, hence, the reason his alumni deemed it necessary to campaign against illicit drugs.
Our correspondent reports that participants at the road walk were seen wearing T-shirts with various inscriptions saying no to illicit drugs as well as banners with similar inscriptions.
