NDLEA BOSS TASKS PEOPLE ON DRUG WAR

Lagos - Chairman/Chief Executive of the National Drug Law Enforcement
Agency, ND-LEA, Alhaji Bello Lafiaji, has called for the involvement of
Nigerians in the efforts to combat the twin-scourge of drug abuse and
illicit trafficking by the agency.

The NDLEA boss, who made this call in Lagos while flagging off a week-long
series of activities to mark the year 2003 United Nation's Day against
Drug-Abuse and Illicit Trafficking, said the greatest tragedy was for any
individual or organization to be indifferent to the ravaging menace of drugs.

Lafiagi called for a concerted action in line with the theme of this year's
UN Anti-drug day titled "Let's Talk about Drugs". According to Lafiaji,
"talking about drugs is an expression of concern", and that "when we are
all talking about the negative effects of drugs, it goes to show that we
are all concerned and that we have all turned against the perpetrators of
the heinous drug crimes, and before long our talking would translate into
action".

"It can be pretty difficult to make the nation free from drugs unless all
work places, institutions of learning, worship centers, family and
traditional institutions begin to speak strongly against drugs while
ensuring that any of its members involved in drugs is exposed", the he stated.