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About three out of five psychiatric cases reported at the University Teaching Hospital, Ado-Ekiti are linked to use of illicit drugs. The Ekiti State commander of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Bamidele Akingbade, has said. Mr Akingbade, who disclosed this during the International Day Against Drug Abuse and illicit drug trafficking celebration at the weekend, said the rise in cases of mentally retarded people in the state is a source of worry to the agency.
“If the trend continues, there would be more lunatics on the streets of Ado-Ekiti,” he said, adding that it would affect the future of youths who are the leaders of tomorrow.
The NDLEA official said no fewer than 34 persons have been arrested for dealing in hard drugs in the last one year, while 24 persons are being prosecuted for drug related offences within the same period of time.
Lucrative business
The NDLEA boss lamented that often times when those jailed for drug-related offences are released from prison, they go back to it because of its lucrative nature.
Mr Akingbade, who said there is an upsurge in the cultivation of cannabis in the state, blamed this on the high price of the commodity attracts in the market. He said a bag of Indian hemp which has the same weight as that of a bag of cement attracts N28, 000 in the market.
“Ekiti is fast becoming one of the states noted for the cultivation of cannabis.
Between last year when I assumed duty as the commander of the agency and now, over 400 acres of land has been destroyed by us for cannabis cultivation. “Also, the agency has just discovered another 100 acres of Indian hemp cultivation.
Apart from corruption, every other offence, such as armed robbery and rape have their roots in drug consumption. It is highly worrisome that anywhere cannabis is planted, it takes another 10 years to grow another plant there. So, we appeal to our people, especially those in charge of land, to stop giving out their land to people to grow Indian hemp.”
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