By Josephine W. Lagawo
The Executive Director of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Andrew Jaiah kaikai presented a budget of Nle 7,426.9 M.
He said that the agency needs the money to fight against drugs, to track drug lords and pushers, to sensitize youths on Kush intake and other substances which are danger to their health.
Jaiah Kaikai pointed out that the drugs taking affects government’s big five changer, adding that government has dedicated a whole five-year prioritizing education as its flagship project to improve the human capital development, thereby liberating its population from high-rate illiteracy for efficient service delivery.
He revealed that drugs are now available in schools, bars, cafes, night club and even in remote villages, the abuse of drugs is real and its prevalence among young people in the age bracket of (15 to 35 years) affect their health and productivity.
He highlights deliverables for 2025 of NDLEA which includes a nationwide sensitization on drugs use and prevention, popularization and implementation of the strategic master plan 2023-2028, review of the national drug control act 2008, Drug Law enforcement and Psychosocial counselling, Rehabilitation and treatment of persons who use drugs (PWUDs).
He spoke about the challenges the NDLEA is faced with which includes staff strengthen, noting that they only have 12 staff, limited research/ survey data to support policy making decisions, inadequate funding from the government, lack of equipment such as Vehicles, Motorbike, drug detection gadgets and computers etc.
He said that the agency is not established at class A border crossing points such as Jendema(Pujehun district) Gbalamuya (Kambia District).
