WARRI – As the menace of drug abuse continues to take its toll on youths across the nation, experts have sued for a concerted effort from the government, teachers, parents, and faith based organisations to take the bull by the horns so as to stem the tide.
The resolution was reached at the weekend during a round table discussion on Campaign Against Drug Abuse and Bad Habits ( CADABH ) organized by the National Orientation Agency ( NOA ), in conjunction with the Foundation for Development and Community Engagement ( FDCE ) in Warri, Delta State.
Speaking during the round table discussion, experts agreed that ,it was time for all and sundry, to rise up and attack the ‘monster’ called hard drugs in order to save our future leaders.,adding that for the scourge to be tackled, parents, teachers and the government must play their expected roles.
Okoro Ivan, Director, National Orientation Agency ( NOA ), Delta State, said,
“Drug Abuse is the root or platform on which all social vices breed. Examples are , armed robbery, prostitution, vandalisation of government properties, arson and other criminal activities against humans.”
He blamed the scourge on parental failure, peer group influence, lack of discipline in educational institutions among others. He said, the only solution to this menace is for the youths to wake up from slumber and start thinking positively, adding that the youths should imbibe good virtues by using their minds to plug out these vices.
He said, “All hands must be on deck, all security agencies must be on alert. Health workers must put in extra efforts to nip this menace in the bud. Our organizations saddled with inculcating values eg, discipline, integrity, hard work, social justice, patriotism, self reliance and religious tolerance should raise this awareness to our youths.”
Delta State Commander of National Drug Law and Enforcement Agency ( NDLEA ) , Obiefule Dennic who was represented by the Principal Staff Officers, (Drug Demand Reduction Department) of the Agency, Mr. Samuel Campbell during his pictoral presentation of the effects of hard drugs on the brain and internal organs in the human body, highlighted the role of the NDLEA, saying that the agency can only arrest those who abuse drugs and not those who abuse other substances.
He said drug abuse is a well known problem in the society, advising parents to monitor their children and not leave the responsibility of taking of them to a third party.
On his part, the Director, National Orientation Agency, Mr Okoro Ivan, said the only solution to this menace is for the youths to wake up from slumber and start thinking positively, adding that the youths should imbibe good virtues by using their minds to plug out these vices.
He said, “All hands must be on deck, all security agencies must be on alert. Health workers must put in extra efforts to nip this menace in the bud. Our organizations saddled with inculcating values eg, discipline, integrity, hard work, social justice, patriotism, self reliance and religious tolerance should raise this awareness to our youths.
Mrs, Omiwade Olukemi, Supervisor, Health Education Nurse, Chevron Nigeria Limited ( CNL ), in her presentation said every family has one person who is abusing one drug or other harmful substances, stressing that most youths go into drugs because of parental deprivation, poverty, homelessness, unemplyment, depression and lack of ownership.
Also speaking , Pharmacist Hassan, of Chevron Nigeria Limited, (CNL)talked about other harmful substances, apart from the popular ones that the youths are taking to get high. He named such other substances like, aerosols, fumes from latrines, dried faeces , solvents, thinners among others.
Coordinator , FDCE, Barrister Robinson Ariyo , blamed the menance on the influence of foreign bad culture.
“Our youths have being exposed to foreign films involving drug barons. Some of our musicians also tend to mimic foreign artistes.Like this sagging of trousers…these habits were all imported, they are not African, they are alien to us.” Lamented ,the Itsekiri Chief.
While assuring participants that the Foundation is ready to partner with relevant bodies to tackle the menance as well as provide professional help to victims of drug abuse, said, a working document will be formulated and a committee set up to look at the best strategy that will be used for effective advocacy on the dangers of drug abuse
