From Esther Akaa, Lafia
The Nasarawa State Commissioner for Youth and Sports Development, Othman Adam has urged youths in the state to shun drug abuse and other forms of social vices capable of destroying their future.
Adam gave the charge on Friday at a one-day sensitisation workshop organised for secondary and tertiary institution students in the state, held at the Lafia City Hall, Lafia.
The commissioner, represented by Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Youth and Sports Development, Mr Suleiman Kasimu, noted that drug abuse has continued to spread to different parts of the society, posing serious social problem to the abuser and society at large.
He said government was worried about the future of its youths, hence would continue to sensitise them against the dangers of drug abuse, aimed at educating and enlightening the students and the general public curb the menace.
“I want to appreciate the State Government for approving funds for the programme. This gesture would assist the Ministry in achieving its set goals.
“The Ministry of Youth and sports would continue to hold such programme and other related ones as part of its roles to rid our society of crimes andcriminalities and make it a better, safer and more secure place for all of us,” he said.
He advised the students as well as residents of the state to adhere strictly to the message against drug abuse.
Also speaking, Senior Special Assistant to Governor Abdullahi Sule on Primary Health Care, Princess Margaret Elayo said the sensitisation workshop was apt as it would go a long way in reducing the arbitrary intake of drugs, especially among young and ignorant adults in the society.
She added that living a clean and unblemished lifestyle comes with untold rewards, hence the need for participants and public to tow the path of a drug-free life.
Resource persons, Child Protection Researcher at the Department of Social Work, Federal University, Lafia, Mr Idom Mogom and Principal Staff Officer, Drug Demand Reduction Unit, National Drugs Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Nasarawa State Command, Mrs Ikwo Uno, listed alcohol, marijuana, tramadol, lizard faeces, rubber solution and other forms of stimulants as drugs that are widely abused while counselling the students and public against drug abuse.
They appealed to the State Government to institutionalise the subject matter in school to ensure full eradication of the ugly trend from the society.
Participants at the workshop were drawn from both secondary and higher institutions in Lafia and Doma Local Government Areas respectively.
