'EDUCATE GROWERS ON NEGATIVE EFFECTS OF INDIAN HEMP'

Abimbola Fashola, wife of the Lagos State Governor Tuesday urged the
National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) to identify and educate
growers of Indian hemp on its harmful effects on the society .

A statement by the government quoted Fashola as giving the advice at
an event to mark this year's International Day Against Drug Abuse and
Illicit Trafficking.

She said it was pertinent to educate the growers to utilise the land
for food products that would benefit them and the society.

Fashola stressed that it was important that Nigeria as a nation play
a major role in the fight against the cultivation and trafficking of
Indian hemp since it has been identified as a significant exporter of
cannabis in Africa.

According to Fashola, the UN report on drug and crime noted that
cannabis is the world's most abused and widely known illicit drug.

"If we do not grow cannabis, it will not be available for people to
buy and use. If we succeed in taking cannabis out of circulation, the
society will be more peaceful," Fashola said.

She explained that apart from the social implication of cannabis on
the society, it also increased the risk of lung infection and heart
attack five times than normal.

She further said that reports have shown that 70 per cent of crimes
were done under the influence of cannabis.

Fashola commended the NDLEA and the state Inter-Ministerial Drug
Abuse Control Committee for steps taken at sensitising the residents
on the harmful effects of drug abuse and illicit trafficking.

She urged the youths, whom she said accounts for the greater
percentage of drug abusers, to resist the temptation to indulge in drug use.

The state Commissioner for Health, Dr. Jide Idris noted that the
state government was desirous of creating a model state, free from
the ravages of drug abuse.

He said that the theme of this year's celebration, "Do Drug Control
Your Life?", was most appropriate as it shifted focus from the
palliative measures of drug abuse control to the preventive measures.

Idris said that it also established a direct link between the
availability of cannabis and its abuse.

Also the Special Adviser on Health, Mr Toyin Amzat, stressed the need
to employ multi strategy to tackle the scourging effects of
cultivation, sales and consumption of cannabis.