National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) plans to establish offices in all the 774 local government areas in the country as part of measures to tackle the problem of drug abuse at the grassroots level.

The chairman and chief executive of NDLEA, Brigadier General Buba Marwa(rtd), disclosed this yesterday in Ilorin, Kwara State.

Marwa spoke at the presentation of two books written by the commander of the NDLEA Kwara Command, Mohammed Ibrahim.

The NDLEA's boss called on state governments to provide lands for the establishment of the agency's barracks across the country.

He also requested them to assist the agency in the provision of operational vehicles to enhance its fight against illicit drugs and substance at the various commands.

While commending the author of the books – “Look Before You Leap” and “Drug Slaves”, Marwa said, “the books will provide the youths with information about how to guard themselves against drug abuse while those who have fallen victims can be treated and cured.”

Represented by the director of internal affairs and provost marshall in the agency, Dr Malami Sokoto, Marwa enjoined traditional rulers to join hands with the agency in tackling the menace of drug abuse at the grassroots.

In his keynote address, the director general, Michael Imoudu National Institute for Labour Studies (MINILS), Comrade Isa Aremu, advocated stiffer penalties for drug barons in the society.

He said his institute was ready to partner with the NDLEA to expand its curriculum to mainstream the campaign against drug abuse even at work.

The chairman of the occasion and Zana of Ilorin, Engr. Lanre Sagaya called on all stakeholders to support the agency in its task of ensuring a drug free society.

He lamented that the prevailing cases of kidnapping and banditry in the country are as a result of too many drugs on the lands, lamenting that four out of every six youths are involved in drug abuse.

The guest speaker and legal luminary, Mallam Yusuf Ali, warned that many in the society will not sleep with their two eyes closed if the menace of drug abuse is not curtailed.

The book reviewer, Prof. AbdulRasheed Adeoye of the Department of Performing Arts, University of Ilorin, said the two books were written in simple languages that conveyed cultural, political and economic impacts of drug abuse.

Earlier, the chairman of Vintage Book Presentation Committee, Alhaji Tunde Akanbi, had said the presentation of the books which were also translated into Yoruba language climaxed the intellectual voyage embarked upon by the author to complement his agency's efforts in ensuring a drug free society.

The state governor, AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq who was represented by the commissioner for water resources, Usman Lade unveiled the books while the founder of Al-Hikmah University, Ilorin, Alhaji AbdulRaheem Oladimeji launched the books with the highest donation.