In a bid to stem rising cases of drug abuse by teenagers, Anambra State Government in partnership with National Drug Law Enforcement Agency NDLEA has vowed to initiate action aimed at reversing drug abuse prevalent rate in the state.
Rising from a one day sensitization creation workshop on the dangers of drug abuse and its effects held at Otuocha, Anambra East Council, stakeholders reasoned that no effort would be spared to stamp out the social menace.
In her welcome address, the State Commissioner for Youth Empowerment and Creative Economy, Prof Theresa Obiekezie, drew the attention of youths to the dangers posed by intake of un-recommended drugs in their lives.
“It has been reported that abuse of drugs impacts the brain negatively which includes wrong judgement, poor decision making, loss of memory and inability to learn. It destroys major organs of the body for example the lungs, liver, kidney and heart.
“It is because of the value of lives and especially for the lives of youths, that the Governor, Chief Willie Obiano approved the Ministry to organize this workshop to help youths know and fight against the intake of these drugs”, Prof Obiekezie said
While expressing dismay at the increasing rate of sale and consumption of dangerous and banned drugs among youths, she urged youths not to be swayed or deceived with misinformation, misconceptions that taking illicit drugs could boost their self esteem.
Consequences
In a lecture delivered during the event, the Assistant Commander, Drug Demand Reduction, NDLEA, Anambra State, Dr Mrs Thompson Chinwe, stated that youths must unite to shun all forms of harmful drug dependent indulgences.
She identified some of the consequences of drug abuse to include terrorism, withdrawal symptoms, prostitution, joblessness and contraction of venerable diseases.
Threat to society
The State Recruitment Officer, Nigerian Army, Anambra State, Major Samson Enye, described drug abuse as a threat to the society.
He attributed the increasing rate of violent crimes in the nation to abuse of drugs by the youths and called for a concerted effort to counsel teenagers and rehabilitation of those already addicted.
The Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Youth Empowerment and Creative Economy, Mr Louisa Ezeanya, urged participants to step down what they learnt to the grassroots to effect positive changes.
She appreciated the state government and partner agencies for sponsoring the event and called for its sustenance.
Nneka Ukachukwu
