2 hours ago
6
ABUJA – The Nigerian Senate on Thursday called for immediate action to combat the escalating issue of drug abuse, particularly among young people across the country.
Addressing youths and parents in a one-day national event focused on engaging parents in the fight against drug abuse and reckless behaviors, senators voiced concerns that failure to intervene quickly could lead to severe social and economic consequences for Nigeria’s youth.
Deputy Senate Leader Senator Lola Ashiru who represented the Senate President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio at the event, highlighted the urgency of tackling this issue.
Organized on Thursday by the Joint Committee on Drugs and Narcotics in collaboration with the National Association of Nigerian Drug Monitoring (NANDRUM), the event emphasized the need for a collective response to halt the spread of drug abuse.
Senator Ashiru underscored that drug abuse is linked to rising crime rates and impedes access to quality education, adding that addressing these issues begins within the home, with parents playing a vital role.
“The fight against drug abuse is indeed a fight for our posterity. As parents we are at the frontline of this battle, we are the guiding light in the children’s sight, responsible for the battle, providing support and creating an environment where every choice is celebrated. It is imperative that you engage in open conversation about the dangers of drugs,” he said.
Ambassador Cristabel Okoye, the event convener, emphasized the importance of parental guidance in shaping children’s character from an early age. She expressed concern over the portrayal of drugs in movies and music videos, which she said promotes dangerous behaviors.
“Valuable lives are being lost to such depictions,” she added.
With the crisis of drug addiction gripping the nation’s youth, the Senate declared it not only a challenge but an emergency, urging immediate action to prevent further harm.
