Governor Alex Otti of Abia State has urged Abia youths to ignore hard drugs and bad influences in order to secure their future and contribute greatly to the development of society.

Otti made this known in Umuahia, the state capital, during the celebration of the 2024 United Nations Day against Illicit Trafficking and Drug Abuse, organised by the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency.

He affirmed that knowing the effects and impact of drug use will go a long way towards helping young people make informed decisions and seek necessary help when needed.

Governor Otti, who was represented by Dr. Caleb Ajagba, his Chief of Staff, described the theme of the event, “The Evidence is Clear: Invest in Prevention,” as appropriate, adding that education plays a very important role in empowering people with the information they need to resist substance abuse.

He emphasised that the journey of life must be approached with the right intention to excel, as it stressed the need for youths who want to succeed to set goals for themselves and be focused on their goals.

On her part, the first lady, Mrs. Priscilla Otti, represented by Mrs. Adaeze Emetu, the wife of the Deputy Governor, opined that prevention was the most effective way of solving the challenge of drug abuse.

The First Lady argued that initiatives focused on cutting off the supply of illegal drugs are key to defeating drug abuse and trafficking.

She applauded the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) for its dedication in the fight against illicit drug trafficking and consumption.

She said,Your leadership in this fight has been truly inspiring. Your bravery, professionalism, and dedication to the community are remarkable.

Reacting, Mr. Amos Adelanwa, the state commander of the NDLEA, Abia Command, described drug abuse as a global problem that requires concerted effort from stakeholders to resolve.