National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) don blame the plenty club houses wey don full Malete, the town wey host Kwara State University (KWASU), for the sharp increase in drug abuse among students and youths for the area.
Kwara State NDLEA Commander, Fatima Popoola, drop the warning on Tuesday during one sensitisation programme wey NDLEA organise with KWASU to educate students and residents on the dangers of drug abuse.
According to Popoola, the agency don make several arrests connected to the abuse of “laughing gas” (nitrous oxide) for Malete, describing the situation as something wey don become serious concern.
She explain say although owning club houses no be offence, many of the activities wey dey happen inside some of the clubs dey encourage drug abuse among young people.
According to her, plenty youths dey use laughing gas for parties and night gatherings, especially inside clubs, without knowing the danger wey dey attached to am.
The NDLEA boss also accuse some landlords and house agents of indirectly helping drug dealers operate around student hostels.
According to her, investigations show say some people wey no be students deliberately rent rooms inside student hostels just to use the place as base for selling drugs.
She warn say once drug dealers dey live inside hostels, the temptation for students to start using drugs go increase because the substances dey available anytime.
Popoola also reveal say NDLEA don arrest some students, including female students, for drug trafficking activities.
According to her, many of the suspects tell NDLEA officials say na because of school fees and financial hardship make dem enter the illegal business.
The commander, however, praise KWASU management for supporting the Federal Government drug integrity testing policy.
She reveal say KWASU na the first tertiary institution for Kwara State where NDLEA carry out the drug integrity test before extending the exercise to other schools.
Despite the effort, she say the drug problem for Malete still dey give concern.
Popoola come send strong message to landlords and agents, telling dem to know the kind people wey dem dey give accommodation.
She lament say before KWASU come, Malete na quiet farming community, but as development enter the town, some bad elements also enter with am.
According to her, many landlords just collect rent and no bother check wetin tenants dey do inside their compounds.
The NDLEA boss make am clear say the agency no go fold hand watch drug abuse continue to spread among students.
She also announce say NDLEA don get approval to establish one operational office for Malete to strengthen monitoring and make anti-drug operations faster and more effective.
Meanwhile, KWASU Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Luqman Jimoh, reaffirm the institution’s stand against drug abuse and other social vices.
According to am, drug abuse remain one of the biggest enemies of education because e dey destroy academic performance, push young people enter crime and spoil bright futures.
He, however, add say continuous education and sensitisation remain the strongest weapon to stop students and young people from falling into drug abuse before the problem get out of hand.
