NAN MD advocates massive enlightenment against drug abuse

NAN MD advocates massive enlightenment against drug abuse
NAN-HG-2
Campaign
By Tukur Muntari
Kano, Dec. 19,2017 (NAN) Mr Bayo Onanuga, the Managing Director, News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), has called for massive public enlightenment campaign against drug abuse in the country.
Onanuga made the appeal on Tuesday at the Senate Roundtable on drug abuse epidemic in Kano.
NAN reports that the roundtable was organised by the Senate as part of effort to address the drug use crisis in the country and proffer solutions to the problem.
Onanuga, who, was represented by the Director, Finance and Accounts, Mrs Khadijat Lawal, said the call was necessary in view of the alarming rate of drug abuse in the country.
He stressed the need for Federal and State Governments to take stringent measures against unlicensed patent medicine store owners selling the products in order to ensure the success of the campaign.
According to him, the campaign against the ugly trend should also be extended to schools, places of worship and market places.
“How do we protect the vulnerable including market women in the effort toward addressing the drug use crisis.
“I think the best way is to extend the campaign to schools, market places and places of worship,” he said.
He noted that the campaign would go along way in sensitising students and other vulnerable people on the dangers associated with drug abuse.
The managing director also stressed the need for state governments to partner with all the key stakeholders so as to make the campaign against drug abuse very effective and result oriented.
“A strong partnership between the state governments and all other stakeholders will not only help in minimising the menace but will enable the relevant agencies address the menace,’’ Onanuga said.
Former governor of Niger, Dr Babangida Aliyu, also urged the federal government to introduce social welfare programme for unemployed persons in the country as part of effort to reduce poverty.
He said community leaders also have a significant role to play in the fight against drug abuse as every community in the country has the problem.
“Communities should be involved in the crusade because every community has this problem of drug abuse especially among our teeming unemployed youths,” he said.
NAN reports that the roundtable was attended by various stakeholders including civil society organisations, law enforcement agencies as well as ex-drug addicts. (NAN)
MTM/MST
Edited by Muhammad Suleiman Tola