The wife of the Ogun State governor, Bamidele Abiodun has emphasised the need for everyone to join forces with the government to win the war against drug and substance abuse
Abiodun, according to a statement on Friday, made this call when she led an advocacy walk in Abeokuta, the state capital, in commemoration of the 2024 United Nations International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Drug Trafficking.
The first lady, who doubles as the Chairperson of the Ogun State Drug Control Committee and the Ambassador of War Against Drug Abuse, lamented the alarming rate of prevalence of drug abuse and drug-related vices, especially among the youths.
She said, “This ugly trend of increased drug and substance abuse by our youths needed urgent intervention of all and sundry so as to nip this in the bud and avert grave consequences.
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“There is therefore need for massive advocacy and education, as well as enforcement to address the scourge that has negatively impacted on the state more than the other 35 states of the federation”.
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Abiodun said prevention should be paramount in combating drug abuse as a means of forestalling serious consequences in homes and the larger society, calling on all stakeholders, including religious leaders, to complement efforts at creating awareness of the dangers inherent in drug abuse and trafficking.
She promised her continued support and collaboration with the Ogun State Command of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency calling on the lawmakers to also support ongoing efforts by enacting enabling laws for enforcement.
The Ogun State Commander, NDLEA, Tijani Rabbe, stressed that the fight was a collective responsibility of all stakeholders, particularly parents.
The walk which took off from the state headquarters of the NDLEA, in Ibara took the participants through Omida Market to Panseke among others.
