INT. DRUG DAY: Stakeholders in Kogi Insist on Preventive Measures to Curb Rising Drug Abuse »

…as Gov. Ododo urges parents, community to pay attention to young ones

…govt authorities must extend fight against drug abuse to the rich – University Don.

Stakeholders have insisted that emphasis on preventive measures as against treatment would be more effective to curb the growing rate of drug abuse amongst youth while suggesting that societal action must be galvanised towards ensuring that youths are discouraged from getting involved in the menace from onset.

This was the general consensus by Dr. Egbola Collins the guest speaker and other keynote speakers at a sensitisation event organised on Wednesday by the Kogi State Ministry of Youth and Sport Development in partnership with the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency in commemoration of the United Nation’s Day Against Drug Abuse and Trafficking, an event which held at the glass house of the government House, Lokoja.

The medical practitioner hinted that while NDLEA’s approach against Drug Abuse included drastic supply reduction and treatment, scientific intervention which focuses on stopping initiation remained a better way of prevention of the sporadic spread of the menace across the society. He attested that youths were the central focus of the issue of drug abuse hence the society must pay attention to them.

Kogi state Governor, Alhaji Ahmed Usman Ododo who was represented at the event by the Secretary to the Government of Kogi State, Dr. Folashade Arike Ayoade urged parents to pay keen attention to their children and ensure they know their friends and company they keep, as many young ones have been influenced by peer groups despite receiving good training from the home front.

The Governor said the menace of drug abuse has proven to have the capacity to destroy lives and contributed to many vices witnessed in the society, adding that young people who have ventured into such bad behaviour have ended up with some health challenges, irresponsible living, crimes and in some cases untimely death.

He further admonished youth to desist from engaging in any act of drug abuse as it limits their ability to emerge as great leaders in the present or the nearest future while urging those already caught in the destructive web to seek help from designated professionals who can guide them through detachment.

Earlier the state’s Commissioner for youth and sports development, Hon. Monday Anyebe Aridaojo in his opening remarks said the theme of the event “the evidence is clear, invest in prevention” resonates deeply, noting that while the negative impact of drug abuse has been felt all around communities, the power of prevention, which could lead to the transformation of young lives, ignite hopes and revive resilience have proven to be more potent.

He added that in Kogi State, the governor, Alhaji Ahmed Usman Ododo believes strongly in the well being of the people and he is committed to prioritising prevention and ensuring that the youth had access to the resources to thrive asserting that government through the ministry of youth and sport development in partnership with relevant stakeholders would continue the advocacy to ensure that people are adequately sensitised about the dangers of drug abuse.

The Commissioner thanked the state governor, Alhaji Usman Ododo for his dedication to creating a healthier and safer society for all adding that his immense support since the commencement of the campaign has been very instrumental in the ministry’s efforts to sensitise and educate the youths and other societal strata about the dangers of drug abuse. He also thanked the NDLEA, Kogi State command for their collaboration and tireless efforts in combating drug trafficking and abuse in the state

While noting that the ministry would continue to encourage healthy alternatives including sports and creative ventures he assured that the campaign would continue as their messages would be conveyed down to communities.

The Special Adviser to the governor on War against drug abuse and illicit trafficking, Hon. Eunice Achimugu said that the government is very interested in the youth and in ensuring that issues of drug abuse becomes resolved. She added that government’s dedication to this cause led to her appointment and that of Senior Special Assistants on Drug Abuse and trafficking.

She thanked the governor, Alhaji Usman Ododo for dedicating resources to the sensitisation assuring that they would collectively take the messages to the nooks and crannies of Kogi state.

In his remarks, the Kogi State commander, NDLEA, Mr. Umar Mustapha Yahuza called on every segment of the society including traditional institutions, religious and opinion leaders, NGOs, the media to render a helping hand to get rid of drug abuse noting that such fight would require the collective efforts and cooperation of every segment of our society.

He commended the state government for writing its name in gold through a strategic appointment of officials squarely to face issues of drug abuse and trafficking acknowledging that such unprecedented gesture by the state governor, Alhaji Ahmed Usman Ododo reflects his passion for the healthiness, safety and welfare of the people of the state.

The Keynote Lecturer, Prof. Rotimi Ajayi of the Federal University Lokoja, attested that all the agents of socialisation, including the family, school, religious organisation, media and government must play a complementary role in ensuring that young people understands the message of the dangers inherent in drug abuse and the possible harms there in.

He admonished that authorities must be firm in their fight against drug abuse commenting that families and religious organisation must also throw their weight behind government authorities. He also cautioned that the media space, particularly social media platforms must be discouraged from celebrating does found wanting of promoting drug abuses while authorities must not indulge in selective punishment of the poor while evading the rich in their fight against drug abuse.