National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Kwara Command, has rued the alarming incidence of drug production and abuse among young people in the state.
NDLEA’s State Acting Commander, Mr. Odewale Adebimpe, who spoke during the Walk organised, in collaboration with the Kwara State Drug Control Committee and office of the First Lady, to commemorate this year’s World Drug Abuse Day,
noted that children who were not properly informed were at greater risk of engaging in unsafe behaviours and experimenting with illicit drugs.
Adebimpe has, therefore, admonished parents to closely monitor the activities of their children in order to stem the tide of illicit drug abuse in the society.
The Walk, which commenced at Alagbede, Offa Garage area and terminated at the Banquet Hall, opposite the Government House, Ilorin, was aimed at sensitising the public on the danger of drug abuse.
He identified parents as critical to the fight against the rising cases of drug addiction among different age groups, especially children, saying that young people who have persistently abused substances often experience one form of problem or another.
“Parents, you need to pay adequate attention to your children, you need to see what they are doing and when they are misbehaving,” he said.
Adebimpe urged Nigerians to stop the stigmatisation against the culprits, asking them to assist in taking those involved in drug abuse to the NDLEA Office for rehabilitation and counseling.
In his remarks, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Health, Dr. Abubakar Olayiwola Ayinla, explained that the Walk was to sensitise the public on the danger of drug abuse and illicit drugs in the state, advised parents to build trust between themselves and their children, which, he said, is essential in reducing drug abuse.
Also, in his remarks, the Executive Secretary, Hospital Bureau Board, Dr. Àbdulraheem Malik, said the sensitisation Walk would serve as an eye opener for the public to know the negative effects of using hard drugs such as codeine and heroin, among others, which cause harm to the body.
He explained that some parents don’t know what their children are getting into, urging them to help their children to make good choices and good friends
The Chairman, Kwara State Drug Control Committee, Hajia Barakat Olanrewaju, said the Walk was part of the activities set aside to commemorate this year’s World Drug Abuse Day, as she called on people to stop discrimination ànd support people with drugbdisorder in the society
She explained that stigmatisation affects the health and mental wellness of Individuals, saying people need to show them love to be relevant in the society.