The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, Gombe State Command, has between January and July, arrested no fewer than 214 suspects for drug-related offences.

The NDLEA operatives also seized 93.95Kg of cannabis sativa, 257.5Kg of psychotropic substance and methamphetamine from the suspects within the period under review.

The agency’s State Deputy Commander on Narcotics, Mr Bello Mumini made the disclosure at a programme organised by the Association of Professional Counsellors, APROCON, in Nigeria on Monday on a paper he presented titled, “Drug Abuse Situation in Gombe State.”

He explained that, “the 214 suspects included 200 males and 14 females.”

He added that of the 214 arrests, 30 convictions had been secured, while 137 of them had been charged to court.

The NDLEA official decried that drug and substance abuse in the State cut across gender, age and social status, lamenting that many women had been found abusing drugs.

According to him, it was discouraging that the NDLEA rehabilitation centre in the State was not being utilised properly despite the high rate of drug abuse in the State.

He stated that the centre has a 24-bed capacity but the highest they get is seven clients undergoing rehabilitation.

He appealed to the state government and other partners to support the centre by sponsoring clients towards their effective rehabilitation.

Dr Habiba Isah, the chairperson of APROCON on her part, lamented that drug abuse had become one menace that should worry all stakeholders given its negative effects on the youth.