The Oyo State Commander of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Olayinka Joe – Fadile has revealed that there was an increase in drug usage among students from primary to tertiary levels, adding that the University of Ibadan is vulnerable.
Joe-Fadile revealed this when he paid a courtesy visit to the Vice Chancellor of the University of Ibadan (UI), Professor Kayode Adebowale.
He said his agency had discovered that the demography for age had dropped to 12 years and that even though young children are unable to afford the expensive drugs, they are consuming all sorts of unconventional materials.
He said the NDLEA, however, does not see drug users as criminals but as victims who the agency is rehabilitating with the support of professional counsellors and psychologists in collaboration with the University College Hospital, Ibadan. He disclosed that a functional Rehabilitation Centre had been established in Iseyin.
The State Commander recalled that the NDLEA had established the War Against Drug Abuse Club and invited the VC to create such a club within UI.
Joe – Fadile said the NDLEA should be made part of the Orientation programme for Fresh students and other programmes to enlighten the students and help the University produce graduates who are worthy in character and learning.
Responding, Adebowale assured the Commander that the University would gladly collaborate with the agency to fight against drug abuse adding that the University was doing its best through the Centre for Social Orientation and the Counselling and Career Development Centre to fight the menace of drug abuse and other identifiable negative tendencies.
