The Supreme Education Foundation School has charged students and youths in the country to shun drug abuse, warning that it has dangerous effects on the body.
Chief Executive Officer of the school, Olubukola Adewuyi gave the charge at an event to commemorate the International Day of Drug and Substance Abuse organised by the school in Magodo, Lagos.
Adewuyi, who said that drug abuse had become a worrisome issue not just in Lagos but also in other parts of the country, noted that its deep effects have started gripping youths who indulge in it. She expressed belief that early awareness of the consequences would make the youths to deviate from it.
“The issue of addiction is bad, the youths can’t help themselves, so I don’t think punishment will stop them. But creating awareness of the consequences and the danger of drug abuse will make them to deviate from the vice.”
The guest speaker and Director of David Folaranmi Foundation, David Folaranmi, while giving testimony of how he permanently came out from the addiction to drugs, urged the youths to shun drug abuse in all forms.
“They should understand the need for key advocacy, they should also go to their peers, religious centres, societies to tell others about the effects of drug use. Early education is key, there must be knowledge sharing, advocacy programmes, awareness programmes, sensitisation campaign and then there must be education from the family unit. Parents must first be the respondent when they find that there are changes in their children due to drug use. Parents should be knowledgeable on what exactly they should do before it gets out of control,” he said.
A consultant psychiatrist, mental advocate and Chairperson of Parents, Teacher Organisation (PTO) of the school, Dr. Gbonjubola Abiri said there should be measures put in place to eradicate the abuse of drugs.
“Talking about stricter measures is just looking at it unidimensionally, there are so many aspects to look at. Over the years, there have been laws, including in some countries asking people to be killed, but those things have not deterred people from engaging in substance abuse.
“Finding a solution to the problem is beyond looking at strict measures at the end, it’s about putting it into place, measures that would help foster prevention, improve education and awareness about it. When the programmes are more encompassing, we are more likely to get solutions instead of waiting till the damage is done, before disciplining the people. Instead, lets put in place measures that will ensure people don’t even get attracted to it, to ensure people are aware of the damages and the danger it causes.”
