DRUG ABUSE: ANAMBRA STATE HOUSE OF ASSEMBLY RAISES ALARM ON YOUTH INVOLVEMENT IN DRUGS 12-10-23
By Sadiq Aminu The Anambra State House of Assembly has expressed worry over the high rate of youths consuming hard drugs in the state.
To this end it has passed a resolution calling on the Executive arm to embark on a continuous sensitization programe on the adverse effects of hard drugs to health.
This followed a motion sponsored by the member representing Njikoka Constituency two , Mr Jude Akpua calling on the governor to direct the Commissioner for Information, Youth and his Health counterpart as well as other relevant agencies to do the needful.
According to Mr Akpua a recent report indicates that about fourteen point three million people were suffering from illicit drug disorder while one in four deaths occur as a result of intake of hard drugs
He noted that the ugly trend mostly associated with youths, if left unchecked will lead to further breakdown of societal peace and tranquility as a result of related crimes and increase the number of mentally deranged individuals in the state while also depleting the human resources.
Mr Akpua stated that concerted and coordinated efforts geared towards continuous sensitization programe on the negative effects of hard drugs to the people would go a long way to eradicate the menace.
Supporting the motion, the member representing Ogbaru North Constituency One, Mr Noble Igwe who noted that information is power, called on the relevant agencies to continue to advocate and harp on the adverse effects of indulging in such act.
The Member representing Idemmili North Constituency, Azubuike Udemezue who identified peer and societal pressures said the situation is really affecting the society as many youths who take to illicit drug engage in criminality .
Mr Udemezue therefore called on government to also clamp down on those producing some of the hard drugs which he noted were being produced withing his Constituency to save the youths.
For his part,Mr Chidi Ibemeka representing Njikoka Constituency One, noted that drug abuse has made many youths to be unproductive while many stars and talents have also been lost to the menace.
Mr Jude Ngaobili of Ihiala Constituency One, described as alarming the percentage of people involved in illicit drug use , also harped on the need for Government to embark on rehabilitation of those already engaged deeply in the act.
The Speaker of the House, Mr Somtochukwu Udeze who presided over the plenary, called on parents and religious leaders to also lend their voices and effort to ensure that there is continuous sensitization of the people on the dangers associated with illicit drug.
Africa 247 Correspondent Sadiq Aminu reports that the House adjourned till Tuesday 17th. October for plenary.