Follow Us on Google
By Gilbert Ekezie
The Ajeromi Ifelodun Crime Prevention Partners (CPP), in collaboration with the National Drug-Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) and in partnership with the UK government, TAG International and CLEEN Foundation, held a day Sensitization Seminar for Community Stakeholders and School Owners on ‘The Effects of Drug and Substance Abuse.” The event took place at the Local Government Secretariat, Ajegunle Lagos State recently.
Community stakeholders, school owners, teachers, students, community-based associations, youths, and law enforcement officers like the police, NDLEA and Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corp(NSDC) were in attendance. Handbills, with the inscriptions, Say NO to Drug and Substance abuse, you have a brighter future, Real friends don’t do drugs, Winners don’t do drugs, Drug-free you, better you, Quit a day, quit a life and Choose life, not drugs were generally distributed to the participants.
Speaking on the topic of the day: “The effects of Drug and Substance abuse,” Deputy Commander, Narcotics, NDLEA, Mrs Clara Chukwuma expressed happiness for the opportunity given to her to talk to those who are into or yet to go into drugs.
She said the main focus of her speech was the dangers of harmful drugs. If taken, the body system will change.
According to her drugs are being abused when they are taken excessively, and without prescription.”The danger is if taken, the body system will change, it hurts the person physically, it leads to sicknesses like brain damage, liver problem, kidney damage, low performance at work and hurts the mental health of the abusers.”
Chukwuma also explained that drug and Substance abuse results in hallucinations affects finances and hurts one’s freedom. “It can also influence people to commit crimes, hurts relationships with one’s family, hurts friendship, hurts people one does not know and the community, by not doing well to help the community to grow.”
She said drug abuse is a no-go area, and that one can achieve what he wants well, without taking drugs.
“To avoid it, you can keep yourself busy by dancing to music, cooking, read and do other things.
Also, avoid areas where drugs are taken, so that you will not be tempted to take them.’
Chukwuma commended CPP for the initiative and promised that NDLEA would not relent in giving them the necessary support to fight the abuse of drugs due to their harmful effects.
Human Resources Manager of Ajeromi Ifelodun Local Government, Prof. Rafiu Ayinla on behalf of the Council Chairman, Fatai Ayoola advised the young people to avoid drugs so that their future will be brighter.
He said the youths should be encouraged to succeed in life by sensitising them on the need and what it takes to do so.
“We are looking for a way to engage you to be productive and we will not rest until Ajegunle is better.”
Commander of NSDC in Ajeromi Ifelodun Local Government Area, Mrs Nkeiruka Obi described hard drugs as a destroyer and should not be taken, no matter the circumstances. ” Drug abuse is dangerous to health and destroys one’s future, and if one says no to drugs, the future will be better. So, I am advising everyone, especially the young people to desist from taking it.”
The Administrative Officer, of Ajegunle Police Division, ASP Peter Akintunde observed that parents have more jobs to do in the lives of their children in the area of drug and substance abuse.
Akintunde, who represented the Divisional Police Officer, noted that it is not the work of the security officers or law enforcement agents to teach the young people about the dangers of drug abuse, rather the parents should.
He said drug abuse can lead to mental problems or criminal acts like robbery, rape, fighting and killing, and advised young people to desist from any act that would lead them into crime.
Samson, a former drug addict and one of the beneficiaries of CPP training and empowerment programmes, explained the reason people should not abuse drugs.
He explained that with what he went through with drug addiction, he would not advise anyone to abuse drugs.
“I was almost off the line. At a point, there was no to stop it, until the members of CPP located me while roaming on the street as a lunatic. But, today, I have been revived and I go out there to preach against it.”
Another former drug addict, AbdulLatteef, was picked from the street, but today is free from drugs.
He narrated his ordeal, saying that the dangers of drugs cannot be easily noticed, until when it starts manifesting.
According to him, drug abuse almost made him mad and useless in life. “If not for CPP that found me on the street and brought me back to live a normal life, I would not have been here today campaigning against drug abuse.”
Miss Jessica Chukwudozie from Royal Land College who spoke on the effects of drugs, said it can be harmful and dangerous to the body.
According to her social media helps to promote the use of drugs through some of the stories or music they write or play. “From some of the stories and music we read and hear in social media, they eulogize many of the celebrities we know who are into drugs. By doing so, it seems as if drug abuse is being encouraged”
She therefore called on her fellow students to shun the abuse of drugs and concentrate on their education.
In his own submission, the Coordinator of CPP, Ambassador Michael Ojobaro stated that hard drugs are bad for health and make those involved in it to be irresponsible to society.
He observed that people were scared of taking hard drugs, in order not to bring the names of their family to disrepute, but the reverse is the case today, as children take hard drugs without fear.
Ojobaro noted that peer group, fear, addiction and youthful exuberance are among the factors that lead people into drug abuse.
“A good child will not want to destroy the image of his family. Unfortunately, today drug abuse has become a normal thing, every child and adult claims to take it to console themselves in the challenging society we are in.
“People who are into cultism, cyber crime, armed robbery etc, take drugs. So, due to the trend, it has become a lifestyle in many families.
He explained that drug abuse makes people run mad and become useless to themselves, their families and the society at large, and warned everyone to avoid it.
In a vote of thanks, a representative of CLEEN Foundation, Mrs Blessing commended all for participating in the seminar.
She advised everyone not to take hard drugs.
“If you want your lives to be useful, don’t do drugs.
“A life free from drugs is a successful and productive life. So, be warned.”
