The Kogi State Commissioner of Police, CP Edward Egbuka, has identified drug intake and abuse as major push factors responsible for several crimes in the country.
The police commissioner disclosed this in Lokoja on Saturday when he received in audience, a non-governmental organisation, Community Anti-Drug Abuse Advocacy Initiative, as part of activities marking the 2022 International Day Against Drug Abuse.
CP Egbuka lamented that drug abuse has eaten deep into the fabric of society, stressing that most arrested criminals by the command always confessed to committing crimes under the influence of drugs.
He added that most crimes committed in other parts of the world are also proven by research to most times be drug-motivated.
He expressed the readiness of the command to partner with NGOs like CADDAI in the fight against illicit drug abuse for a society devoid of drug influence.
The CP urged the organisation to strive hard to ensure that political thugs, who are usually influenced by drug intake, are not allowed to cause destruction and violence during the forthcoming general elections.
He, therefore, urged CADDAI to step up efforts in advocacy and sensitization of the youth on the dangers of drug abuse.
He called on parents, religious and other non-governmental organisations to take the preaching against drug abuse with the seriousness it deserved.
Earlier in his remarks, Cheniba James, Co-ordinator, CADDI, Kogi State Chapter, said the global observance of the International Day Against Drug Abuse is aimed at raising awareness of the problem illicit drugs pose in society.
He lamented that illicit drug abuse has become a time bomb staring society in the face, as such, all hands must be on deck to stem it, or it will ruin the destiny of young people who are the leaders of tomorrow.
