An Enugu-based drug use prevention group, the Busaosawo Foundation, has cautioned youths in the state to avoid drug abuse in the interest of their mental health.
The Founder, Mr Busaosawo Bisong, made the caution at a one-day drug abuse prevention summit for students in Enugu.
Bisong said that a variety of hard drugs and other substances were being abused by youths in the state.
He stated that statistics available to the group showed that many school age children in the state used at least one type of tobacco product.
“If they are not smoking cigarettes, they are using Snuff or Shisha. This is not good for their mental health, it is also not good for the society,” he said.
Bisong urged the state government and other stakeholders to collaborate strongly towards tackling the ugly trend.
“The government needs to rise to its responsibility by ensuring strict policies on drug prevention, so that these youths do not become nuisance to the society,” he said.
He said that the submit was to equip youths with the requisite skills and tools to stay drug-free, and to become anti-drug abuse ambassadors.
“This is why we invited over 10 schools. We want to educate the students on the need to be drug-free individuals and ambassadors against drug abuse.
“We urge parents to adopt the approach of having constant conversations with their children to keep them informed about the dangers of drug abuse,” he said.
Bisong said that he chose to preach the gospel of a drug-free society because of his experiences as a lawyer.
He said that he had seen young people being convicted over drug abuse cases, saying,” I decided to do something that will provide help”
Also speaking, ThankGod Oko, a volunteer, urged the youths to stay away from friends who indulged in drug abuse to avoid being influenced.
“For any young person to be drug-free, they have to avoid friends who take drugs, peer pressure has lured many into drug abuse,” he said.
A Counsellor, Mmesoma Ani, urged youths in the state to exude self-confidence, and avoid peer pressure to stay drug-free.
Chukwunye Faithful, a participant, said that she had learnt life changing lessons from the submit.
“The submit has taught me to avoid peer pressure and social media influence to stay drug-free and useful to myself,” she said.
