Stakeholders Advise Youths to Shun Drug Abuse

Youths in the country especially those of school age, have been advised against the use of hard drugs.

Amosun, a staff member of the Federal Neuro-psychiatric Hospital, Aro, Abeokuta, gave the warning on Friday while speaking at a drug campaign forum in Ifo Local Government Area of the state.

He decried the alarming rate at which students now engage in drug abuse which, if not checked, could jeopardise the future of the nation.

He said that “Parents should desist from living a care-free life rather; they should strive to be good role models to their children.

“They should also ensure that they monitor every of their activities because our children are tomorrow’s leaders and they need to be properly brought up.’’

Also speaking, the State Commissioner for Education, Science and Technology, Mrs Modupe Mujota, advised students in primary and secondary schools to shun drug abuse.

Represented by the Director, Education Support Services, Mr Martins Akinsolu, the commissioner advised parents and guardians to counsel their young ones against all social vices.

“Let me tell you, our parents that are here today, to please tell your children the dangers of drug abuse and its inherent effects on their social well-being.

“Any child that is not well brought up would definitely constitute a nuisance to the society and subsequently bring shame to the family,” she said.

The commissioner said that the state government would continue to map out strategies to prevent the use of illicit drugs and cultism in schools across the state.

In her welcome address, the Ifo Zonal Education Officer, Mrs Akinola Okereafor, identified home environment, gender, socio-economic status of the parents and peer group influence, as some of the factors responsible for the anti-social behaviours.

She called on parents, teachers, community leaders and law enforcement agents to fight the monster of anti-social behaviours currently on the increase.