Lagos First Lady, Sanwo-Olu, concerned over rise in drug abuse

Lagos State First Lady, Dr. Ibijoke Sanwo=Olu says the rise in drug abuse among young ones in the country calls for concern.

She made this known during a strategic meeting held with the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) and other critical stakeholders at the Lagos House, Ikeja.

According to her, drug addiction, especially among the youths, has become a worrisome menace in society that no one could longer pretend about its existence.

“The earlier we begin to tackle the daunting challenge, the better for our youths, ourselves and the social health of our society. This strategic meeting is aimed at putting the menace of drug abuse and associated social vices on the front burner”.

“We are truly and deeply concerned about the increase in the rate at which the younger ones are now getting addicted to illicit drugs, a development that brought about the need for all relevant stakeholders to embark on a campaign to fight the menace and enlighten victims on the dangers inherent in such lifestyle both now and in the future”, the First Lady said.

“At the level of the Nigerian Governors’ Wives Forum (NGWF), we are all concerned about this and we have resolved in our respective States to frontally confront the menace, looking at it from a holistic point of view”.

“We have to be proactive and connect with the schools, the religious bodies, community leaders and associations and others to cascade the message to all segments and sectors of the State”, Mrs. Sanwo-Olu asserted.

Commander of the NDLEA, Lagos State Command, Barr. Callys Alumona, commended the First Lady for convening the meeting of relevant stakeholders to advance the War Against Drug Abuse (WADA), noting that something urgent must be done to prevent Lagos from becoming a gateway for illicit and dangerous drugs, both within and outside Nigeria. 

He also urged the first lady to organise a training workshop for women in government who are mothers themselves, as well as political and social leaders, to enable them to have a better understanding of the consequences of drug abuse and the signs to note when a child is engaging in drug abuse or illicit dealing in drugs.