October 01, (THEWILL) – A non-governmental organisation, Healthy Billionaires Fitness Club, has staged a 12-kilometre walk against drug abuse and mental health challenges among youths in Cross River State.
The 12km Calabar Walkathon, which is the fourth series by the organisation, is themed: Drug Abuse and Mental Health.
The walk was graced by over two hundred members of the association in partnership with several public and private organisations.
Speaking while flagging off the exercise in Calabar, the State Governor, Senator Bassey Otu, welcomed the initiative by the organisation to address the menace of drug abuse and mental health in the State.
The Governor, who was represented by the Secretary to the State Government, Professor Anthony Owan Enoh, said the Government is pleased with the exercise as it aligns with its agenda.
He said the present administration will continue to try and bring the youths to understand that their well-being is very important to the State.
Also speaking, the Chairman of the Healthy Billionaires Fitness Club, Williams Archibong, said the idea of the exercise was to create awareness about the issue of drug abuse and mental health among youths.
He said they have brought all the sectors involved in this hazard, including the NDLEA and the Psychiatric Hospital, together to help achieve their aim.
He explained that what they are doing now is awareness, adding that the next thing is to ensure that they create a home where they will be kept and made happy, emphasising that it is a work in progress.
On his part, the Chairman of the Walkathon planning committee, Mr. Liyel said they chose the theme because the social menace, at this point, is not far from drug abuse and mental health.
He said there is a lot of crime and drugs driving the youths into this menace and so they decided to partner with the stakeholders against it.
On her part, the State Controller of the NDLEA, said they are glad to be part of the exercise as they are passionate about the youths.
She said the youths are their main target and that of the agency because if they can get the youths, they have gotten everything and if they lose them, they have also lost everything.
She said there is no going back against the fight against drug abuse and they are ready to fight the war.
She said the support of all stakeholders is needed and society should collectively brace themselves against drug use because if we allow it in the society, we are gone.
About the Author
THEWILL Correspondent, Aniekan Bassey has over six years experience that spans across several fields in print journalism including development communication, sexual reproductive and health rights issues, crime, climate change, social justice, business and human interest stories.
