Drug abuse has become a big menace among the youths, they indulge in it for different reasons. In a bid to curb the rising trend, the Osun State Government in collaboration with the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), and other stakeholders, launched a sensitisation campaign aimed at raising awareness on the dangers of drug misuse.
The sensitization was held at major public places in Osogbo on Monday.
Speaking during a market outreach, Assistant Commander of Narcotics and Deputy State Commander, Drug Demand Reduction, NDLEA Osun State Command, A.C.N Comfort Oyebayo, said the agency’s approach to tackling drug abuse is twofold controlling the supply of illicit drugs and reducing demand through prevention and rehabilitation.
Oyebayo further encouraged88 individuals already struggling with substance abuse to seek profess978
887u7nal help. “We run a mini rehabilitation centre at our office in the Testing Ground area, Osogbo, where people can access counseling and support services,” she added.
Also speaking at the event, Hon. Oyewale Segun, Special Adviser to the State Government on youth mobilization, emphasized the need for community-level awareness.
“Most people don’t realise that even misuse of common medications can be harmful, we’re engaging directly with the people, especially in markets, to share information on the dangers of drug abuse and how to report cases to the NDLEA or relevant agencies”, he explained.
The outreach, which is part of a broader campaign spearheaded by the Ministry of Youth Affairs in collaboration with Osun State University, is expected to continue across the state.
The Chairman of the National Youth Congress in Osun State, Comrade Olayemi Aderibigbe, urged young people to choose their associations wisely and steer clear of drugs. “The kind of company you keep can determine your future. Say no to drug abuse,” he advised.
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