NEWS ANALYSIS: Rescuing the youth from drug abuse and government’s efforts

NEWS ANALYSIS: Rescuing the youth from drug abuse and government’s efforts

On many occasions, relevant government authorities, on-governmental organisations and concerned groups of people have made efforts at directing the minds of the youth from taking substances such as street drugs, cannabis and solutions, among others.

Irrespective of these efforts, perceptive observers note that the number of teenagers that engage in drug abuse has been on the increase, posing threats to security, environment, individual’s health and national development.

For instance, medical personnel have confirmed that abuse of alcohol and drugs has resulted in significant rate of morbidity and mortality among adolescents in the world.

They explained that drug abuse is not limited to taking street substance such as heroin, cocaine and cannabis, among other illegal drugs; noting that addiction to even legal substances such as pain-killer tablets, alcohol is part of abuse.

However, governments at different levels have been playing vital roles in ensuring that the Nigerian society is safe for the youth in that regard.

One of the efforts the Federal Government has made to tackle the menace of drug abuse in the country was the inauguration of Presidential Advisory Committee on the Elimination of Drug Abuse (PACEDA) in December 2018 by President Muhammadu Buhari.

Retired Brig.-Gen. Mohammed Buba Marwa, the Chairman of PACEDA, said that the 27-man committee would explore and address all aspects and segments of the society to make far reaching recommendations to the president.

Marwa noted that “youths are vulnerable to social menace of drugs abuse in Nigeria that is a developing country.

“President Muhammadu Buhari is committed to tackle the menace of drug abuse in the country and we are also looking at the other segment of the society that has not started taking to drugs’’.

He said that the committee intended to establish War against Drug Abuse structure, something that would look like War Against Indiscipline initiative.

He also added that the committee would take the initiative to the grassroots and deeply involved the traditional and religious leaders across the country.

Further to this, Vanguard Against Drug Abuse, a non-governmental organisation in partnership with National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) and National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), recently organised a sensitisation movement for the youth in Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

The movement involved road walk tagged “Say No to Drug Abuse and Election Violence’’ and it was targeted at ensuring a drug abuse-free country.

Vanguard Against Drug Abuse President Hope Abraham said that the rally was to stem the rising cases of drug abuse among youths in the country.

“The effects of drugs are there for people to see and curbing the menace in Nigeria is a collective responsibility.

“I want to urge Nigerian youths not to be involved in any act of violence at this time; they should stay away from drugs’’, he said.

Sharing similar sentiments, Mr Nduka Augustine, Staff Officer, Drug Demand Reduction, NDLEA in FCT, said that consumption of prohibited substances had become a serious challenge to the growth and development of the society.

“This programme is a public enlightenment projecting education and raising awareness; part of the agency’s mandate is to ensure demand and supplies of drugs are reduced to the barest minimum.

“It is a good thing to know that the organisation has been working towards a drug-free society by sensitising youths to drugs and its adverse effects’’, he said.

Also, Mrs Ada Saraso, President, NYSC Drug Free Club, said that the club had been partnering NDLEA to ensure a drug-free society and engaging in road walk was a great move to curb the menace.

“We are not there yet. But, we won’t relent in ensuring information is passed across to every youth and drug peddlers in the country; VGADA has been playing a front row to ensure the public get to know about this.

“We, as a club will continue to partner NDLEA to combat drug abuse both in the FCT and in other parts of the country’’, she said.

Saraso also urged the youth to act as agents of peace in their various communities to ensure free, fair and credible elections.

In his view, Mr Abdul-Rahman Momodu, Chairman, Abuja Pharmacists Elders Forum, observed that the “first approach in curbing drug abuse is the adoption of intensive sensitisation of youths.

“Dissemination of information is the first approach when addressing this menace of drugs; information is power; ensuring a drug-free society should be everyone’s concern.

“The entire society is affected when it comes to drug abuse and the consequences are upon the society’’.

Momodu, therefore, pleaded with the youth to live better for national development rather than indulging in taking illicit drugs that “kill and makes you useless’.’

A News Analysis by Ibironke Ariyo, News Agency of Nigeria (NAN)

Photo Credit: Google