SOCIETY EYE SUPPORT INITIATIVE PARTNERS NDLEA, OTHERS IN CAMPAIGN AGAINST ILLICIT DRUGS
By Mcanthony Onuoha
Society Eye Support Initiative in collaboration with National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) and other stakeholders, on Thursday, June 26th, embarked on sensitization campaign against illicit drugs in Ojo area of Lagos State.
June 26th every year is marked as International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking, also known as World Drug Day. The day is observed globally to raise awareness about the impact of drug abuse on society and to strengthen efforts to combat the big challenge.
The Theme of this year’s event as captioned by the United Nations is “The Evidence is Clear, Invest in Prevention”, while the slogan is “Break the Circle”, #StopOrganizedCrime.
Stakeholders of Drug Abuse Prevention Awareness which consists of
Association of Community Pharmacists of Nigeria( ACPN), Okoko Zone, National Association of Patent and Property Medicine Dealers (NAPMED), and Lagos State Medicine Dealers Association in conjunction with Society Eye Support Initiative, an advocacy group that is strongly committed to campaign against trafficking and abuse of controlled drugs, and the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), organized a sensitization programme against the abuse of illicit drugs. The campaign which commenced by 10AM on 26th June, with a road work from
Event Gallery on Lasu-Isheri road and terminated at Iba Town Hall for the event proper.
Students from Rolex Comprehensive Collage, Iba , Trophy Guide Secondary School Akesan, Bemsolag School, Akesan and Fumac High School, Iba, partook in the event.
Deputy Commander of Narcotics (DCN), Nichols I. Ibisa, led NDLEA personnel to the event. He urged parents to commit their times in proper parenting, stressing the need for vigilance in monitoring their children’s behaviors and never allow them to indulge in the use of Illicit drugs. He added that prevention is better than treatment and rehabilitation as the country lacks enough facilities to accommodate victims of drug addiction for rehabilitation.
According to DCN Ibisa, “todays activity is a global event. Apart from what we are doing here today, we are always visiting schools and communities, motor parks, hospitals, Churches and Mosques to sensitize people on the dangers of drug abuse. That is the major thing we do. It is the United Nations International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking also known as World Drug Day, and the theme for this year’s event is “The Evidence is Clear.”
Addressing over two hundred students that represented five schools, DCN Ibisa cautioned them against the use of illicit drugs, stressing the need for every youth to live a drug free life so as to be useful to his or her immediate family and society at large.
Also speaking, Pharmacist Timeyin Ogungbe, on behalf of other stakeholders, warned the students to avoid anything that could lead them into doing drugs. She urged every youth to be cautious of subtle introduction to hard drugs which in most cases, has led to drug addiction.
Speaking, the National coordinator of Society Eye Initiative, Prince Chinedum James Ogoke, stressed the need for continuous sensitization campaign against drug abuse, and called for genuine collaboration amongst corporate bodies, agencies of government and non governmental organizations as well as institutions of learning, including religious groups, in the fight against drug abuse, which he said, has continued to destroy destinies and potentials across the world. He described drug addiction as a global threat, cautioning the youth against any form of involvement.
The event featured drama, inter school quiz competition and debate.
