Kwara State is taking the lead in drug and substance abuse among Northcentral states, National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has said.

The agency said that the state has 13 percent, while Nasarawa and Benue states have 11.8 and 11.6 percent. Kwara State Assistant Commander of the NDLEA, Ajanaku Babaoye broke the news in Ilorin, the state capital at a programme organised by Government Secondary School (GSS), Ilorin, Old Boys Association, 82 set.

The theme of the event is: “The Nigerian youths: Prospects of a drug-free society.”

Babaoye said Plateau, Niger and Kogi States had 11, 10 and 9 percent, adding that the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) had 9.5 percent.

He described the statistics as alarming, adding that timely solution was required.

Director, National Orientation Agency (NOA) in the state Segun Adeyemi represented by Solomon Akande said “peer group influence is one of the major catalysts for drug abuse.”

Principal, GSS , Mallam Kuranga Babatunde advised pupils to shun drug abuse and social vice.