Soludo takes anti -drug campaign to Anambra cattle market

---

Information Commissioner, Law Mefor addressing the people at the cattle market

---

By Madu Obi

The Anambra State government has taken its anti- drug abuse campaign to the Amansea Cattle Market in Awka North local government area of the state. The exercise which is in partnership with cattle dealers in the area was part of a sensitisation campaign against drug abuse and addiction among the inhabitants and traders.

The event, themed, 'Operation Stop Drug Abuse and Addiction', drew attention to the dangers of substance abuse and encouraged youths to pursue productive endeavours.

Speaking during the campaign, the state Commissioner for Information, Dr Law Mefor, described the cattle market community as a strategic partner to the Soludo government in the development of the state, urging them to avoid drugs to succeed in life.

According to Mefor, drug abuse leads to financial loss, poor decision-making, and potentially mental degeneration up to the point of schizophrenia.

He assured the youths of the state government's interest in their welfare and offered to support the rehabilitation of those suffering from drug dependency and addiction.

"The state government decided to do this programme with the Amansea Cattle Market because it is interested in the youths here and everywhere in Anambra State. The way we came here is how we will go to other places – markets, churches, mosques and all.

We need to talk to our young people so that nobody will say, 'I didn't know.' Now you know. The decision is yours. If you are wise and willing to change your life, Soludo’s government will help you," Mefor said.

He highlighted various initiatives of the Soludo government, including the One -Youth ,Two -Skills programme, as well as free education designed to empower youths, and encouraged interested individuals to take advantage of these opportunities.

The Commissioner also assured that his Ministry would liaise with the Secretary to the State Government to get Governor Soludo to look into the issue of facilitating the movement of the cattle market to the permanent site, even as he urged them to remain good citizens.

Earlier, the Chairman of the Anambra Cattle Market, Amansea, Alhaji Bello Magari, observed that drug abuse and addiction are serious problems in the country today, which, he added, was why they deemed it important to hold the campaign in order to sanitize those who patronize the cattle market.

While stating their commitment to continue partnering with the governor in making Anambra better, Alhaji Bello drew attention to the issue of their permanent site.

"We need a place where our customers can drive in and drive out to purchase their goods. Where the government gave us is not on the roadside. Though they promised to construct the road for us and build it as a well-deserved cattle market, nothing has been done yet, not even the approval for the land," he said.