The Abia State Government has expressed concern over the reported increase in the number of people receiving treatment and rehabilitation for drug addiction at the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) rehabilitation centre in Aba.

The Commissioner for Youth and Sports Development, Nwadinma Ananaba, expressed the concern on Friday during a workshop organised at Okwu Olokoro community in Umuahia South Local Government Area to sensitise youths against drug abuse.

The Commissioner, who was represented by Ijeoma Ogbonna, lamented that many youths who should be contributing productively to their communities and the state had been negatively affected by drug abuse and drug-related crimes.

Ananaba encouraged youths in Olokoro and other parts of the state to stay away from illicit drug consumption and embrace skills acquisition and other employment schemes introduced by President Bola Tinubu and Governor Alex Otti.

In their separate remarks at the workshop, the traditional ruler of Okwu Olokoro, Eze Boniface Izuogu, and the President-General of Umuoji Village, Nnamdi Nwosu, expressed concern over the activities of drug peddlers and metal scrap dealers in the community.

The Divisional Crime Officer in charge of Ubakala Police Division, Osinachi Ahana, also raised concerns over the high number of crime cases reportedly originating from villages in Olokoro, saying the situation had been worsened by drug abuse among youths.

Ahana disclosed that three young girls were recently trafficked from Olokoro to Burkina Faso for prostitution. He, however, said one of the victims escaped from Burkina Faso and returned to Nigeria.

Earlier, the Assistant Commander of Narcotics, NDLEA, Frank Nwaohamuo, disclosed that about 500 people were currently seeking treatment and rehabilitation at the agency’s rehabilitation centre in Aba.

Nwaohamuo said the centre was originally designed to handle a maximum of 40 cases but now attends to about 500 people seeking treatment and rehabilitation.

He also disclosed that some people experience relapse after being discharged from the centre, highlighting the challenges associated with drug addiction and rehabilitation.

The Assistant Commander of Narcotics assured that the NDLEA Abia Command remained committed to collaborating with communities in the fight against drug abuse.

He appealed to youths in Okwu Olokoro and across Abia State to shun drug abuse and avoid activities that could endanger their lives and future.