Abuja: The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has urged Nigerians battling drug dependence to seek help through its 24-hour counselling and referral service. The Secretary of NDLEA, Shadrach Haruna, gave the assurance in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) to commemorate the 2026 United Nations International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking. He highlighted that professional support is available round the clock for individuals struggling with drug use disorders.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, Haruna emphasized the importance of families and friends of those battling addiction to seek assistance from the NDLEA, underscoring that recovery is achievable with the right support and intervention. The agency’s helpline, 0800-1020-3040, also known as the 247-Network, was established to provide timely access to professional assistance for individuals and families affected by drug dependence. Haruna assured that anyone calling the number would receive an instant response in any language they prefer, including Pidgin English, Hausa, Yoruba, Igbo, or formal English.
Haruna further explained that trained social psychologists are available round the clock to offer counselling and refer callers to appropriate treatment and rehabilitation centres closest to them. He stressed that treatment and rehabilitation are essential pillars of NDLEA’s balanced approach to drug control, alongside enforcement, prevention, and public enlightenment.
Haruna also mentioned the agency’s innovative approaches to tackling drug abuse and illicit trafficking, which include partnerships with faith-based organisations to strengthen prevention, treatment, and rehabilitation efforts. He noted that churches and other religious organisations have become critical stakeholders in the campaign against drug abuse due to their influence on families and communities.
Faith-based organisations contribute significantly through counselling, moral teachings, and family-focused interventions, Haruna noted. He described families as the fulcrum of social development and emphasized that churches provide a strategic platform for reaching homes and communities with anti-drug messages. NDLEA is leveraging the influence of religious organisations to connect with other faith communities and take drug abuse prevention campaigns to grassroots levels.
Haruna reiterated the agency’s commitment to supporting individuals suffering from drug use disorders through counselling, treatment, and rehabilitation services. He called on Nigerians, religious leaders, families, and community stakeholders to support efforts aimed at reducing drug demand and aiding individuals in recovering from addiction. He reaffirmed NDLEA’s dedication to expanding access to treatment and recovery services while strengthening collaboration with faith-based organisations and other partners in the fight against drug abuse and illicit trafficking.