August 23, (THEWILL) – The Lagos State House Of Assembly has raised concern over the rising incidence of drug abuse in the state, describing it as perilous to nation-building.
The lawmakers described the prevalence of drug abuse amongst youths in the state as a great threat to the security of lives and properties.
They spoke during the 7th Annual Constituency Stakeholders’ Meeting held concurrently in all 40 constituencies of Lagos.
Representing Lagos Mainland 11 at the Lagos State House Assembly, Hon Oshun Moshood Olanrewaju, lamented that the use and abuse of drugs, which has become prevalent amongst adults, especially the youths, have been identified to have diverse and devastating effects on the safety and progress of the society across various facets.
According to the lawmaker, apart from the negative social effects of drug abuse ranging from violent crimes, disruption of family, child abuse and neglect, as well as unemployment, it has been further associated with other criminal behaviour such as cultism, armed robbery, rape and other social vices.
Hon Olanrewaju also expressed worries concerning a disturbing revelation by experts that established a nexus between the menace of drug abuse and rising incidence of violent crime in the country.
He decried the report of a drug use survey in Nigeria by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crimes in 2018, which placed Lagos and Oyo States as having the highest prevalence of drug abuse amongst youths in the southwestern part of the country.
He warned that while the Lagos State Government is doing its best to curb this menace with the passage of the Lagos Neighborhood Safety Corps, which is aimed at ensuring the safety of all in our neighbourhood, the prevalence of drug abuse amongst youth and adults, if not effectively addressed and curbed, would jeopardise the entire efforts of the Lagos State House of Assembly in the establishment of a safe, peaceful and livable society.
Similarly, successive speakers took time to x-ray the ripple effects of drug abuse on the abusers and the nation at large.
One of the speakers, Martins Akpaka from the Centre for Corrections and Human Development, urged private organisations to show genuine interest in the fight against this menace called drug abuse. He added that education and sensitisation on drug abuse should start from primary and secondary schools to ensure that its effects are understood early by society.
In the same vein, Olanrewaju called on all stakeholders, residents, parents, teachers, school proprietors, religious organisations, celebrities and social media influencers, professional bodies, the academia, civil society organisations, community leaders and individuals to work in concert with the government for the common good of our society by saying no to drug abuse and drug trafficking.
“Let us remember that our youths are our future and we must show concern about their welfare. They are the hope of the next generation who can build our state and the nation through positive contributions in sports, politics, educations and other endeavours that could solve future problems. Without them, there can never be any meaningful sustainable development in the state and the nation,” he added.
Also in attendance at the stakeholders’ meeting was the Lagos State Commissioner of Education, Mrs Folashade Adefisayo; a member of the House of Reps representing Lagos Mainland Constituency, Jimoh Jide Abdul; Otunba Tayo Oyemade, Hon. Olawale Oshun and Oba Owolabi Adeniyi, Onigbobi Sabe of Igbobi-Sabe.
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