By Abdul Lateef Jimoh
Majlis Khuddam-ul-Ahmadiyya, Lagos State has represented its national body, Majlis Khuddam-ul-Ahmadiyya, Nigeria, at the Drug Abuse Campaign organized by the State Ministry of Youth and Social Development on 21st June, 2018 at the Blue Roof, Lagos State Television (LTV 8).
The programme, aimed at creating massive awareness on the implications of drugs and substance abuse, as well as to get addicts off the streets, was attended by four Lagos Khuddam with Lajna member.
The programme featured lectures on doctors’ prescriptions and correct dosage administration, while extending sensitization to youths and market men and women on the negative effects of drug abuse.
Gov. Akinwunmi Ambode of Lagos State said that the decision to launch the awareness campaign was a response to the dangerous dimension that drug abuse had taken.
Ambode was represented by Mr Tunji Bello, the Secretary to the State Government.
He said: “This campaign tagged: ‘Lagos State Kicks against Drug Abuse (LASKADA)’ is a clarion call and a reminder of our responsibility as individuals, organisations and society to rise and safeguard our collective future.
“We must condemn in strong terms, the excessive and persistent self-administration of drugs without regard to medical prescription.
“As a responsible government, we will not fold our arms and allow this unhealthy practice to create a blurry future for our tomorrow.
“This is what informed the establishment of Youth-friendly Centres in all the Local Government Areas and Local Council Development Areas (LCDAs).
“These are to serve as avenues for relaxation and recreation as well as to further engage our youths in productive ventures so that the menace of drug abuse can be drastically reduced.’’
Also, Mr Agboola Dabiri, the Commissioner for Youth and Social Development, Lagos, said: “We have observed that lots of young persons throng the state daily.
“Many of them do not have any clearly defined way of making ends meet and they often get disappointed when their experiences become a far cry from expectations.
“With this disappointment or frustration, most of them fall prey to pressure and influence from other youths who are already drug addicts and eventually gets lured.’’
According to him, young people abuse variety of drugs including inhalants (fumes from glues, aerosols and solvents), over-the-counter cough drug- codeine, as well as sleep and diet medications.
He said that they also abused other illegally used drugs like marijuana and stimulants- cocaine, crack and speed.
“Youths involvement in this anti-social behaviour come with outcomes including robbery, stealing, kidnapping, cybercrime, rape, domestic violence, murder, suicide and other outcomes, which are on the increase.”
“We cannot allow the vitality and vibrancy in our young persons to get endangered by drugs and other unhealthy substances that are being peddled in recent times, because they constitute the country’s greatest assets…
