The increase in the use of illicit drugs by children under 15 years old has drawn the concern of the Gombe State Command of the National Drugs Law Enforcement Agency.

The state commander, Aliyu Adole in Gombe on Monday expressed concern over the trend.

He said, “They (children) use syringe and needles to inject illicit substances into their veins

“The substances embolden them to carry out all sorts of vices, unprotected sex inclusive;” adding that the command had arrested many children while in the act.

“We took some of the children to Gombe State Agency for the Control of AIDS and some of them tested positive to HIV.”

Adole said the agency has tried to counsel the children on the effect of drug usage.

“We have tried to counsel them; we have tried to let them know the repercussions of taking illicit substances, but they do not to listen to us,” he said.

He advised parents to always monitor their children, stating that they have an important role to play.